Amulet: Hes Vase
Unknown Artist
ca. 1390–1352 B.C.
Medium
Faience
Dimensions
H. 1.5 cm (9/16 in)
Classification
Amulet, Hes vase
Period
New Kingdom
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1911
Accession Number
11.215.200
Art Historical Context
This diminutive faience amulet, known as the Hes Vase, hails from Egypt's New Kingdom, specifically Dynasty 18 (ca. 1390–1352 B.C.), a golden age of imperial power and artistic splendor under phs like Amenhotep III and Akhenaten. Standing just 1.5 cm tall, this tiny blue-green vessel captures the essence of ancient Egyptian devotion, likely worn as a protective talisman or pendant. The "hes" form mimics a ceremonial offering vase used in temple rituals and festivals, symbolizing abundance and divine favor. Crafted from faience—a composite of crushed quartz glazed to imitate lapis lazuli or tu...