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Amulet of Maat
Nubian
Napatan Period, reign of Piankhy (Piye)
743–712 B.C.
Findspot: Nubia (Sudan), el-Kurru, Ku 55
Medium/Technique
Gilded silver and malachite
Dimensions
Height x width x depth: 5.4 × 2 × 3 cm (2 1/8 × 13/16 × 1 3/16 in.)
Credit Line
Harvard University—Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
Accession Number21.323
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Egypt, Nubia and the Near East
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Amulets
DescriptionThe goddess Maat personified justice, truth and proper world order. She is portrayed in amulets like this one as a seated or squatting woman with a single feather (the hieroglyph for her name) on her head. This example is made of polished malachite on a silver base with a gilt silver feather. The ring for stringing is at the back of the feather. The silver is slightly corroded.
Provenance1919, excavated from tomb Ku 55 (unknown queen of King Piankhy), el-Kurru, Sudan by the Harvard University–Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition; 1921, assigned in the division of finds by the Government of Sudan to the MFA. (Accession Date: March 1, 1921)