A Large Wepwawet amulet

Extremely rare for its size, this amulet shows the jackal or wolf deity Wepwawet standing with ears pricked on a sledge with runners peering on front. The slender body modeled with fine legs and a long tail reminds one to Giacometti’s bronze sculptures. The figure is flanked by two cobras. Loop for suspension on the back.

The name Wepwawet means “opener of the ways” and may have been connected to the idea of proceeding victoriously into battle. As the “leader of the gods” Wepwawet with his standard opened the royal procession, and not only did he precede the king but also Osiris.

Cf. M. Lurker, The gods and symbols of ancient Egypt (London 1980) 128f.; B. Watterson, The gods of ancient Egypt (Manchester 1984) 81f.