218 - Udyat amulet-pendant; Egypt, Late Period, 664–323 B.C.

Udyat amulet-pendant; Egypt, Late Period, 664–323 B.C. Faience. Measurements: 2 x 2 cm; 7.5 cm (height including base). Provenance: Family legacy of Ramon Martí Alsina and Ricard Martí Aguiló. Archaeological collection formed from the 1950s by successive generations of the family, through acquisitions in European galleries and auction houses. This amulet depicts the Udyat, the well-known Eye of Horus, one of the most important and widespread protective symbols of ancient Egypt. The meaning of the Udyat is closely linked to the myth of Horus and Seth. During the battle between the two, Horus lost one of his eyes, which was later restored and mended through divine intervention. The restored eye thus became a symbol of regeneration, integrity, and restoration, acquiring profound magical and religious significance. The choice of faience—a material of intense symbolic significance in Egyptian amulet production—is particularly appropriate for this type of object. Its glazed surface and characteristic blue or bluish-green color were associated with concepts of life, regeneration, and protection, making it one of the preferred materials for the manufacture of small amulets intended for both everyday use and funerary contexts. During the Late Period, amulets became extraordinarily widespread and were used in a wide variety of contexts.