Art Institute of Chicago

Amulet of a Clenched Fist

Egyptian

Date

Roman Period (30 BCE–395 CE)

Medium

Faience

Culture

Egypt

Department

Arts of Africa

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Ancient Egyptians had several terms for small objects like this, which we call “amulets.” Worn by the living and the dead, these charms were meant to bring protection, health, and good luck, ensuring the bearer’s well-being in both life and the afterlife. Body parts were a common subject for amulets because ancient Egyptians believed they would help the deceased be reborn in the afterlife with all their limbs. Many variations of hand amulets exist, showing hands open, attached to arms, or closed into fists, as with this example that depicts the thumb protruding between the middle and index fingers of a clenched left hand.

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