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Amulet of the head of Hathor
Egyptian
New Kingdom–Hellenistic Period, Dynasty 18–Ptole
1550–30 B.C.
Medium/Technique
Faience
Dimensions
Height: 1.2 cm (1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Hay Collection—Gift of C. Granville Way
Accession Number72.2633
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Egypt, Nubia and the Near East
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Amulets
DescriptionHathor head amulets were popular from the New Kingdom to the Greco-Roman period. Hathor, the goddess of love and protector of the dead, is shown as a woman with the ears of a cow, wearing a distinctive, heavy wig with the ends coiled into spirals. This example is made of dark green glazed faience. The back is flat and there is a ring at the top for suspension.
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.