A blue faience amuletic pendant in the form of a fly. The amulet is realistically modelled with a darker blue patch towards the end of each wing; pierced through the body for suspension. The amulet would have functioned as both a daily necklace element for the living and/or as a protective amulet wrapped with a body during funeral preparation.
 
Ancient Egyptian Middle to New Kingdom: Circa 17th-11th century BC.
 
Very Fine condition; a few light accretions.
Length 16.8 mms (0.7 ins).
 
For similar fly amulets see Cleveland Museum of Art: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1914.793.3
 
The origin of the fly amulet goes back to the pre-dynastic period (pre 3100 BC). It is possible that the fly amulet symbol arose from a wish to emulate the fly's renowned fecundity. These amulets were made in a variety of materials, including gold, and the golden fly was used in the New Kingdom as an honorific award for military valour. No fewer than thirty-three fly amulets came from the tomb of the wives of Tuthmosis III.
 
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