A collection of finely carved Egyptian inlay elements, each displaying a variation of shapes and together compose the form of the wedjat eye, or Eye of Horus. The inlays take on the typical silhouette, combining human and falcon ocular imagery. A pair of curving schist inlays form the eye and ridge brow at the top of the group, each with a slight curve to the left. Directly below is a white, alabaster inlay with a central, round, black obsidian pupil, creating a stylistically rendered eye. The almond shaped eye is outlined with a grey schist border. A rectangular schist protrusion, with a rounded terminal and a right-angled notch, represents the cheek marking directly below the eye. To the right, a schist inlay, representing the cosmetic line, is presented at diagonal slant with the end curling up into a rounded terminal.  
The inlays have been mounted on a custom-made stand. Please note that the measurements below include the stand. The fragments alone weight 83.9g.

**Date:** Circa 2050-332 BC  
**Period:** Middle Kingdom-Late Period  
**Condition:** Very fine condition. Each element is intact. Encrustations and signs of wear as consistent with age, such as minor chipping, scratches, and pitting. A long, large chip to the reverse of one of the brow inlays.



**Dimensions:** L 20.2 x W 6.3 x H 20.9 cm

**Weight:** 478.8 g

Inlays, in the shape of deities, animals, body parts and generic figures, would have been used to decorate wooden shrines, in which statuettes of gods and goddesses were housed. Such wooden shrines would have been placed in temples, and would have appeared richly inlaid with figural, hieroglyphic, and decorative elements.  
The Eye of Horus, also knowns as Wedjat, is one of the most recognizable and powerful symbols from Ancient Egypt. The amulet combines elements of both human and falcon ocular imagery, as Horus was often depicted as a falcon. Its name comes from the ancient Egyptian ‘wḏꜣt’, meaning “the one that is complete”. The wedjat was highly apotropaic and associated with a number of Egyptian myths. The eye depicted could be either left or right, representing different imagery. In one creation myth, Horus’ eye was injured or stolen by the god Seth and then restored by Thoth. Hence, the wedjat eye was thought to possess healing powers and symbolise regeneration. This healing and regenerative association is further enhanced by the properties of the lunar eye of Horus. As it waxes and wanes like the moon, it is thought to bring health and safety to its wearer. In another myth, Horus presents his healed eye to his father Osiris, to help him pass safely into his afterlife. Thus, wedjat eye amulets were commonly placed within mummy wrappings to help the dead pass safely into the afterlife. There are six key parts to the Eye of Horus and each has its own value: the eyebrow represents thought; the pupil stands for sight; the triangle between the pupil and the white of the eye is hearing, whereas the white of the eye is smell; the spiral curve, or tail, represents taste; and the teardrop is touch.

[https://www.antiquities.co.uk/shop/appliques-protomes/egyptian-schist-alabaster-and-obsidian-wedjat-eye-of-horus-inlay-group/](https://www.antiquities.co.uk/shop/appliques-protomes/egyptian-schist-alabaster-and-obsidian-wedjat-eye-of-horus-inlay-group/)

Egyptian Schist, Alabaster, and Obsidian Wedjat Eye of Horus Inlay Group