Necklace with a double-lion amulet

Unknown

ca. 1000–945 B.C. · Linen, gold · Egyptian Art

Henettawy was found with jewelry that may have been created specifically for her burial. Three strings were tied around her neck, including this cord of two-ply linen embellished with twenty-four knots along its length. Strung on the front is an amulet of pressed gold that represents two lions arranged back-to-back. These are probably to be identified as the guardian of the horizons, Ruti (also known as Aker). There are twelve knots on each side of the amulet, connecting the necklace to the twelve hours of the day and night and hence to the daily journey of the sun through the sky and the netherworld. This link to the solar cycle, and to the daily rebirth of the sun at dawn, would have been meant to help ensure Henettawy's resurrection.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1000–945 B.C.

Medium

Linen, gold

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1925