Amarna, Egypt. Clay Eye Of Horus Amulet Mold // 1364-1341 BC.

Amarna, ancient Egypt. 1364-1341 BC. Excellent clay mold for an Eye of Horus (udjat) amulet. Very deep-cut impression with great detail. Traces of white faience paste still visible inside. Nice reddish color, light earthen deposits. Recovered from within the walls of Nefertiti's palace storerooms during early 1920's excavations of Akhetaten.

Akhenaten's city of Akhetaten (or Akhetaton), literally translates to "Horizon of the Aten (Sun God)". The city was built as a new capital of Egypt under Pharaoh Akhenaten, and was dedicated to his new monotheistic religion centered around one god, the Aten (the Sun God). Construction began early in his reign (year 4=1364 BC or 1346 BC) and was likely finished in or around by year 9 (1359 BC or 1341 BC).

This particular piece comes from the John Rilling collection. Mr. Rilling died in 2008, but stopped collecting in the 1990’s. Mr. Rilling selected the items for his collection carefully, acquiring them bit by bit from major auction houses in the US and the UK.