Egyptian White Stone Writing Tablet Amulet

Late Period, Dynasty 26, c. 664–525 BC, Egypt

An exceptional Egyptian amulet carved from white stone with black inclusions, shaped as a stylized writing tablet. Rectangular in form, the amulet features a cylindrical suspension element at the top—now blocked—suggesting it was once worn or attached. Despite its simplicity and lack of inscription, the piece is a powerful symbol with deep funerary significance.

Writing tablet amulets began to appear during the 26th Dynasty and were commonly made from green, blue, or dark stones. This rarer white stone example echoes the same symbolic purpose. These amulets are often linked to Chapter 94 of the Book of the Dead, which states that the deceased must carry the writing tools of Thoth, the god of wisdom, knowledge, and the inventor of writing. Possession of such an amulet was believed to grant the deceased access to sacred spells and magical texts essential for navigating the afterlife.

Placed on the chest of the mummy, often alongside other protective charms, writing tablet amulets served as potent talismans to ensure the deceased was both protected and empowered during their journey through the netherworld. This piece stands as a testament to the deep interplay between literacy, magic, and divine knowledge in ancient Egyptian belief.

Excellent condition. Light surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, with minor chip to the edge. Size approx. 1,7cm x 1,0cm x 0,3cm.

Provenance: British private collection.

For a similar examples see:

Writing Tablet Amulet, Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, Accession Number: 52.781 (https://www.mfab.hu/artworks/1898/)

Amulet of a Writing Tablet, Art Institute Chicago, Accession Number:1894.184  (https://www.artic.edu/artworks/140916/amulet-of-a-writing-tablet)

References and further reading:

Amulets of Ancient Egypt, Carol Andrews, University of Texas Press, 1994. pp. 82-83, p. 86, 98, no. 99b.

Talismans & amulets, Felicitas H. Nelson, New York: Sterling, 2008.

Ancient Egyptian Amulets, Isabel Stünkel, In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, February 2019. (http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/egam/hd_egam.htm)

Handbook of Egyptian mythology, Geraldine Pinch, Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO, 2002.

Egypt in the New Kingdom (ca. 1550–1070 B.C.), Catharine H. Roehrig, In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, October 2000. (http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/nking/hd_nking.htm)