Wadjet-eye Ring
ca. 1352-1336 B.C.E.
Maker Unknown
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
Rings
The earliest Egyptian rings were purely decorative, but later rings came to carry significance.
By the Eighteenth Dynasty of the New Kingdom, they were frequently inscribed with the name of a god, a king, or the owner. The most popular type was made of faience and bore the name of the reigning monarch. Archaeologists have discovered thousands of these simple, mold-made rings; they were probably distributed as mementos at religious or state celebrations. Other rings feature protective symbols, including the wedjat-eye. Wealthy members of Eighteenth Dynasty society often wore rings made of inlaid glass or semiprecious stones.
The earliest Egyptian rings were purely decorative, but later rings came to carry significance.
By the Eighteenth Dynasty of the New Kingdom, they were frequently inscribed with the name of a god, a king, or the owner. The most popular type was made of faience and bore the name of the reigning monarch. Archaeologists have discovered thousands of these simple, mold-made rings; they were probably distributed as mementos at religious or state celebrations. Other rings feature protective symbols, including the wedjat-eye. Wealthy members of Eighteenth Dynasty society often wore rings made of inlaid glass or semiprecious stones.
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Jewelry
- Formatted Medium
- Faience
- Medium
- faience
- Locations
- Place excavated: Tell el-Amarna, Egypt
- Dynasty
- Dynasty 18
- Dimensions
- 3/8 x Diam. 9/16 in. (0.9 x 1.5 cm)
- Accession Number
- 34.6050
- Credit Line
- Gift of the Egypt Exploration Society
- Exhibitions
- Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity, Ancient Egyptian Art
- Rights Statement
- Creative Commons-BY
- Museum Location
- Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
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