Figure of Isis nursing Horus

Unknown

ca. 332–30 B.C. · Faience · Egyptian Art

This amulet depicts Isis lactans, Isis nursing Horus, her posthumous son with the god Osiris. The goddess, identified by the throne hieroglyph on her head, sits on a block seat adorned on the side with a feather pattern, perhaps symbolizing the wings with which she can be shown or her form as a kite (a bird of prey). A folded cloth is shown as if covering the seat and draping over its low backrest. Isis was seen as the embodiment of a protective, nurturing mother; small figures such as this one would have evoked these qualities for the benefit of the owner.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 332–30 B.C.

Medium

Faience

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Bequest of Nanette B. Kelekian, 2020