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Unknown (Egyptian)
Earring with ram's head
date unknown
gold
5/8 x 9/16 in., 3/16 in. (1.6 x 1.5 cm, 0.4 cm)
Gift of Mrs. Cole Porter
JE.1.C
  
bACKGROUND INFORMATION

Earring with ram's head

The god Amun was often portrayed as a ram and both were associated with creativity and virility. Earrings were worn by men and women, both in life and after death, and were made in many different shapes, using a variety of materials. Gold was commonly used, as were inlays of precious stones and glass. The Egyptians were excellent goldsmiths. Gold was valued in ancient Egypt as a precious metal, and was associated with the gods, particularly the sun god, because of its warm reflective qualities.

Sources:

C.A.R. Andrews, Ancient Egyptian jewellery (London, The British Museum Press, 1996), excerpted on the British Museum website, catalogue entry for object EA 54315

Andrews, Carol. Amulets of Ancient Egypt. 1994 (British Museum Press). University of Texas Press, 1998.

"Ram's-Head Amulet [Egyptian/Nubian] (1989.281.98)". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000 ndash;. (October 2006)




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