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The first examples of amulets appeared in
Ancient Egypt as early as 4000 B.C. Believed
to possess magical powers that protected the
wearer or bestowed upon the properties they
symbolized, amulets were worn both by the
living as well as the dead. Throughout their
evolution, talismans were crafted from a
variety of materials including precious metals
such as gold and silver, semiprecious stone like
jasper and carnelian, as well as other more
affordable glazed compositions such as faience.
The particular powers of an individual amulet
were based upon its specific shape, although
the material and even the color of the charm
could affect its magical abilities. While many of
the amulets created to be worn by the living
could also be worn after death, there also
existed a specific group of charms that were
made specifically to be placed upon the
mummified remains of the deceased. All
together, amulets represent an important
class of Ancient Egyptian art that furthers our
understanding of their complex religious
beliefs.
The ibis was a sacred bird in Ancient Egyptian
mythology, most closely identified with the moon
god Thoth, the messanger of the sun god Ra,
who is often represented as an ibis-headed man
or as a baboon. The name “Thoth” is actually the
Greek term used to refer to this deity, whom the
Greeks closely identified with Hermes, their
messenger to the gods. Thoth, like Hermes, was
credited as the inventor of astronomy, writing,
and mathmatics. He presided over scribes and
knowledge, as has been described in ancient text
as a conciliator among the gods whose words
were able to bring order to the warring factions
of Egypt. In this charming amulet, Thoth is
represented as an ibis-headed man standing
with one leg forward upon a low rectangular
base with his arms clutched against his sides. It
is possible that this amulet was once worn by a
scribe who hoped to invoke the favor of this
powerful deity.
- (CK.0219)
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