Amulet: a seated monkey

Object Details

Description

Eyelet at the back of the head. Clay: dense. Glaze: thin yellowish wash

Label

Small amulets made of faience, stone, ceramic, metal, or glass were common personal possessions in ancient Egypt. They were most frequently fashioned in the form of gods and goddesses or of animals sacred to them. Amulets were believed to give their owners magical protection from a wide variety of ills and evil forces, including sickness, infertility, and death in childbirth. They were often provided with loops so they could be strung and worn as a necklace. Some amulets were made to place on the body of the deceased to protect the soul in the hereafter.

Provenance

To 1908

Ali Arabi, Giza, Egypt, to 1908 [1]

From 1908 to 1919

Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), given by Ali Arabi in May, 1908 [2]

From 1920

Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]

Notes:

[1] See Original Pottery List, L. 1755, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.

[2] See note 1.

[3] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.

Collection

Freer Gallery of Art Collection

Exhibition History

A Collector’s Eye: Freer in Egypt (January 28, 2023 to 2025)

The Nile and Ancient Egypt (December 7, 2013 to January 3, 2016)

Charles Lang Freer and Egypt (June 13, 1998 to October 2, 2011)

Previous custodian or owner

Ali Arabi (ca. 1840-1932) (C.L. Freer source)

Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)

Credit Line

Gift of Charles Lang Freer

ca. 1292 - 1190 BCE

Period

Dynasty 19

Accession Number

F1908.220

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Jewelry and Ornament

Medium

Clay

Dimensions

H x W x D: 3.1 x 1 x 1.4 cm (1 1/4 x 3/8 x 9/16 in)

Origin

Egypt

On View

Freer Gallery 20: A Collector’s Eye: Freer in Egypt

Related Online Resources

Google Cultural Institute

See more items in

Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Collection

Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

Topic

ceramic

monkey

Dynasty 19 (ca. 1292 - 1190 BCE)

Egypt

Ancient Egyptian Art

protection

Charles Lang Freer collection

Record ID

fsg_F1908.220

Metadata Usage (text)

Usage conditions apply

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ye3d0cf3157-433c-474a-b3a8-c23c74b8af91