Seal amulet of Ba bird
Unknown Artist
30 B.C.–A.D. 364
Medium
Faience
Dimensions
h. 4.7 cm (1 7/8 in); w. 1.7 cm (11/16 in)
Classification
Seal amulet, Ba bird
Period
Roman Period
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1932
Accession Number
32.1.212
Art Historical Context
This delicate seal amulet, depicting the Ba bird, h from Egypt's Roman Period (30 B.C.–A.D. 364), a time when ancient pharaonic traditions blended with Roman influences. Crafted from faience—a vibrant, glazed ceramic prized for its turquoise hues mimicking lapis lazuli or turquoise—the amulet measures just 4.7 cm high and 1.7 cm wide, perfect for wearing as jewelry or using as a personal seal. Faience's glassy frit body and colorful glaze not only made it affordable but also imbued it with protective, life-affirming qualities, evoking eternity and rebirth. The Ba bird, shown here with its dis...