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Amulet of a djed-pillar

Egyptian

Medium/Technique Faience
Dimensions Height: 2.5 cm (1 in.)
Credit Line Hay Collection—Gift of C. Granville Way
Accession Number72.2381
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsJewelry / AdornmentAmulets

DescriptionThis glazed amulet is light greenish blue with some brownish incrustation. There are rude lines and the lower corner is chipped away. It has one hole. The amulet represents the djed-pillar. The pillar, which symbolized the spinal column of the funerary god Osiris, was the hieroglyphic symbol for stability.
ProvenanceBy 1836: Robert Hay Collection, Linplum, Scotland; 1863: to his son, Robert James Alexander Hay; 1868-1872: Way Collection, Boston (purchased by Samuel A. Way through London dealers Rollin and Feuardent, 27 Haymarket); 1872: given to the MFA by Samuel's son, C. Granville Way.