Papyrus column amulet

Late Period

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 127

This amulet, meant to be worn, carried, or offered to a deity in the belief that it will magically bestow a particular power or form of protection, depicts a papyrus scepter or column. This plant, named wadj, meaning “green” or “fresh”, and the choice of green-blue faience all strongly evoke vitality and regenerative power, qualities desirable for the living and the dead. Plaques featuring a relief scepter are particular to the Late and Ptolemaic Periods.

Papyrus column amulet, Faience

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