A very dark-green carved hardstone amulet in the shape in the shape of the heart shaped hieroglyph that takes the form of a jar with lug handles, known as 'Ib' in Egyptian. The amulet is unperforated, implying it was intended for use on the body during mummification.
 
Egyptian Late Dynastic period: Circa 7th-4th century BC.
 
Complete and intact.
Height 21.5 mms (0.85 ins).
Width 12.7 mms (0.5 ins)
 
Provenance: John Hunt, Mayor of Preston (fl. 1920s), United Kingdom, thence by descent John Hunt was the Mayor of Preston during the 1920s and played a key role in the town's civic life. In 1927, he hosted King Fuad I of Egypt during the monarch's visit to Horrockses Cotton Mills. As a gesture of thanks, Hunt was gifted a number of Egyptian artefacts, including the present piece.
 
For a similar example, please see Liverpool Museum, United Kingdom, accession number M11957v
 
The Metmuseum explains: For the ancient Egyptians, the heart (ib) was the source of intelligence, feelings, and actions. A person's memory was also housed in the heart and so at the judgment ceremony (Weighing of the Heart) in the afterlife, the heart was able to speak on behalf of the deceased, accounting to Osiris for a lifetime of deeds. Therefore, heart amulets were used on the mummy to protect the owner's organ and to ensure that his heart gave a positive response at judgment.