Polished quartz amulet made in the shape of the heart-shaped hieroglyph, taking the form of a jar with lug handles, perhaps representing veins and arteries. Broken at the top. Heart-shaped amulets were believed to protect the wearer's heart from both physical and spiritual harm both in life and after death. Spell 29b in the Book of the Dead states that such amulets should ideally be carved from the red-coloured stone carnelian. In the ancient Egyptian language the word heart (ib) appears in the expression for a close friend, “one who has entered the heart” (ak-ib).

Wellcome Historical Medical Museum accession no. 10478. Formerly in the collection of Hon. Richard Bethell. Purchased at Sotheby's, London, 15-17 December 1924, lot 161.

Heart Amulet | National Museums Liverpool

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Polished quartz amulet made in the shape of the heart-shaped hieroglyph, taking the form of a jar with lug handles, perhaps representing veins and arteries. Broken at the top. Heart-shaped amulets were believed to protect the wearer's heart from both physical and spiritual harm both in life and after death. Spell 29b in the Book of the Dead states that such amulets should ideally be carved from the red-coloured stone carnelian. In the ancient Egyptian language the word heart (ib) appears in the expression for a close friend, “one who has entered the heart” (ak-ib). Wellcome Historical Medical Museum accession no. 10478. Formerly in the collection of Hon. Richard Bethell. Purchased at Sotheby's, London, 15-17 December 1924, lot 161.

Heart Amulet

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