Ancient Egypt, purportedly found at Abydos, Late Period, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. A four-part carved wood panel featuring the right and left Eyes of Horus and other hieroglyphs, probably created for a coffin cover. The Eye of Horus is an ancient sacred Egyptian symbol connoting royal power, good health, and protection - personified by the goddess Wadjet (also Wedjat, Edjat, Udjat, Uadjet, Wedjoyet, Edjo, or Uto). The "All Seeing Eye" is believed to protect anything/anyone behind it. Horus was the Egyptian sky god traditionally depicted as a falcon, and his right eye was associated with the sun god Ra. The eye symbol is comprised of the marking around the right eye of the falcon also including the teardrop below the eye. The left eye or mirror image is sometimes believed to represent the moon and the god Thoth (Djehuti). Custom stand. Size: 28.375" W x 22.25" H (72.1 cm x 56.5 cm), 31.125" W x 24.25" H (79.1 cm x 61.6 cm) on stand

There are many versions of the story concerning the Eye of Horus. In one popular myth, Horus and Set were fighting to possess the throne following Osiris's death when Set boldly gouged out Horus's left eye. Hathor or Toth restored most of the eye, though the last section was restored mystically. Once the eye was recovered, Horus presented it to Osiris, hoping it would restore his father's life. For this reason, the eye of Horus became a symbol of healing, sacrifice, protection, and restoration.

The measurements of the Eye of Horus are quite precise; each part consists of a fraction in descending order, and doctors use these measurements when prescribing medicine. For instance, the right side of the eye = 1/2 (smell), the pupil = 1/4 (sight), the eyebrow = 1/8 (thought), the left side = 1/16 (hearing), the curved tail = 1/32 (taste), and the teardrop = 1/64 (touch). Hence, six parts of the Eye of Horus were linked to the senses, and the Eye of Horus was regarded as a powerful and persistent healer that could actually bring the dead back to life. For this reason, symbols representing the Eye of Horus were oftentimes placed on mummies in hopes of restoring a sense of wholeness to the body. In addition, mourners would paint The Eye of Horus on coffins enabling the deceased to peer through the coffin. Furthermore, many Eye of Horus amulets were and continue to be made to protect the wearers from evil-doers and ill-wishing individuals. It is also employed as a protection symbol for safe journeys. In general, the Eye of Horus evolved into a symbol of protection against evil and a powerful symbol of healing.

Provenance: private Swiss collection acquired before 1972

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#122658

Quite well preserved considering this piece is made of wood - so amazing that many original wood dowels and much red pigment have survived the tests of time. There are losses to the peripheries and surface as shown; however, much of the imagery is still legible. Two modern metal fasteners were placed on the verso.