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ID number:  ECM 6008
Named collection:  The Eton Myers Collection
Title / Object name:  Bronze Statuette of Isis and Horus
Object type:  Bronze Statuette
Culture:  Egyptian
Date made:  Graeco-Roman Period (332 BC-395 AD)
Materials:  Bronze
Measurements:  overall: 25.35 cm x 6.36 cm x 7.49 cm (H x W x D)
Provenance:  Unknown
ECM6008.i.JPG

A large bronze statuette of Isis, suckling the child Horus (Harpocrates). Isis is depicted with a detailed tripartite wig and diadem supporting horned sun disc. She wears an ankle length close-fitting dress, with a naked Harpocrates bearing the sidelock. Her feet rest on a small square base, with a small vertical post attached, possibly used for insertion into a block or seat. Harpocrates' right foot is damaged.

Bibliography:  For further discussion of amulets, see:

Andrews, C. Amulets of Ancient Egypt. London.

Georganteli, E. And Bommas, M. (eds). 2010. Sacred and Profane: Treasures of Ancient Egypt from the Myers Collection, Eton College and University of Birmingham. London.

Petrie, W. M. F. 1914. Amulets. London

Spurr, S., N. Reeves, and S. Quirke. 1999. Egyptian Art at Eton College: Selections from the Myers Museum. Windsor and New York.

Notes:  Amulets depicting the goddess Isis suckling her son, Horus, are frequently found dated the Third Intermediate Period or later, but were manufactured as early as the Ramesside Period (Petrie 1914: 35, type 148; Andrews 1994: 48). Some rare examples can be dated to the 6th Dynasty depicting the goddess suckling Horus whilst sat on the floor (Petrie 1914: 35). These amulets were a symbol of protection for both mothers and children in this world and the next, likely due to Isis’ role as ‘universal protective mother goddess’ (Andrews 1994: 48). Some of the seated goddesses wear the less common horned sun-disc headdress which can lead to confusion between the identity of Isis and Hathor (Andrews 1994: 20).

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