The sacred eye (wedjet) primarily symbolised protection in Egyptian art. From early times the moon and sun were believed to be the eyes of the falcon god Horus, but gradually the right eye (the 'Eye of Re') became associated with the sun, whilst the left eye (the 'Eye of Horus') represented the moon. Egyptian mythology tells how the Eye of Horus was damaged and then healed, the term wedjet possibly meaning 'the restored' or 'the whole one'. Horus presented the restored eye to his father, and it is from this act that the eye came to symbolise an offering, a particularly common representation in the art of the later New Kingdom (1307-1070 BC).

The design is worked on 14 count Aida fabric and the worked area measures 5 x 5 ins (13 x 13cm).