Ram's Head Amulet in the Brooklyn Museum, March 2010

Ram's Head Amulet
Bi-chrome banded jasper
Third Intermediate Period, Dynasty XXV, circa 775-653 BC, or later
Reportedly from Memphis

Accession # 54.198

This type of amulet, a symbol of the god Amun, originated with the Kushite kings who ruled Egypt as Dynasty XXV. Their foreheads, like this ram's head, were often adorned with two cobras rather than the single cobra common on the heads of Egyptian kings. An exceptionally fine carving in hard stone, this amulet has links between the horns and head that may reflect a metal prototype.

Text from the Brooklyn Museum label.