Trussed Ox Amulet

Red stone amulet in the form of a trussed ox. Carved in the round, its legs bound together. This amulet represented meat as food for sustenance. This type of amulet has been found the wrappings of mummies dating to the Late Period (664 – 332 BC); and within foundation deposits buried beneath temples from the New Kingdom (1550 – 1069 BC). These amulets are typically made of a red material, such as jasper, cornelian or glass, symbolising blood or flesh. Compare with similar examples in the British Museum (EA 8343; 8344; 8346; 8347; 8349).