Pottery, Egypt, New Kingdom, ca. 1390–1352 B.C.
Affordable amulets were made of clay in molds. A single mold could have been used dozens of times and it was easy to create new molds: A “master” – usually made of wood or another durable material – was used as a “stamp” which was impressed into lumps of clay like seen here. The negative form could then be used as a mold for small amulets.
To the left: Mold for a Bes Amulet, Pottery, H. 4.3 cm
Bes was a protective god of the household in general and especially of mothers, pregnancy and childbirth. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 12.180.364, CC0
In the middle: Mold for an Ankh Amulet, Pottery, H. 2.5 cm
The Ankh is the Egyptian hieroglyph for life, live and alive. It was one of the most important religious symbols an ancient Egypt. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 11.215.711, CC0
To the right: Mold for a Taweret Amulet, Pottery, H. 3.3 cm
Tweret was a protective goddess especially of fertility, pregnantwomen and childbirth.
Photos of the artefacts: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
