Black and blue-green faience amulet of Hapi. Egypt, Late Period, 664-332 BC. A thin amulet of Hapi, the baboon-headed son of Horus. Four piercings. Height: 7.0cm. Intact with sandy deposits. Cf. Petrie, Amulets pl. XXXII, 88o.
From the Carl Devries Collection.
The four sons of Horus – Duamutef, Hapi, Qebehsenuef, and Imsety – served as protectors of the organs of the deceased and were closely associated with the embalming process. Four canopic jars, often in the form of the sons, would hold the lungs, liver, stomach, and intestines after they were removed from the body, and amulets such as the current piece would be sewn into the mummy wrappings.
The baboon-headed Hapi served as protector of the lungs.