Art Resource - ART200521

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Obsidian amulet in the shape of two fingers, Egypt, Late Period, after 600 BC. The 'two-finger' amulet shows the index and middle fingers, with the nails and joints clearly indicated. They were placed on the mummy near the incision by which the internal organs were removed before embalming. This may suggest that the amulet was intended to reaffirm the embalming process, the fingers representing those of Anubis, the god of embalming. However, the amulet could also have been intended to 'hold' the incision sealed, to prevent malign forces from entering the body, like the plaques sometimes placed over the wound. 'Two-finger' amulets were mostly made of a dark hard stone such as basalt, obsidian (volcanic glass) or steatite. Black was associated with the Underworld. The hardness of the stones was symbolic of endurance. Amulets were made of such materials to ensure that their magical powers lasted for all eternity.
EA, 59500

Location British Museum/London/Great Britain

Unique Identifier ART200521

Type Image

Purpose Public

Size 844px × 1600px

Photo Credit Erich Lessing / Art Resource, NY

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