Amulet of the God Imhotep
Third Intermediate Period, Dynasty 21–25 (1070–656 BCE)
Medium
Faience
Dimensions
3.2 × 1.6 × 1.3 cm (1 1/4 × 5/8 × 1/2 in.)
Classification
amulet
Department
Arts of Africa
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
136084
Art Historical Context
This delicate faience amulet of the god Imhotep a glimpse into the spiritual life of ancient Egypt during the Third Intermediate Period (1070–656 BCE). Standing just over three centimeters tall, the figure represents Imhotep, the deified architect and healer who lived centuries earlier and was later worshipped for his wisdom and powers of protection. Created in a time of political change, such small devotional objects remained central to personal piety, allowing individuals to carry divine favor close to the body. Faience, a glazed composite material prized by Egyptian artisans, gave the amul...
About the Artist
Ancient Egyptian
Ancient Egyptian artists, a collective of highly skilled artisans spanning over three millennia from the Predynastic period (c. 6000–3150 BC) to the Roman era (30 BC–4th century AD), produced some of humanity's most enduring masterpieces. These anonymous craftsmen, often organized in state-sponsored workshops, lived in dedicated communities like Deir el-Medina near Luxor during the New Kingdom (c....