Carved figurine of Isis seated on a block throne, suckling the child Horus (Harpocrates). Isis is depicted with tripartite wig and the throne hieroglyph on head. She wears an ankle length close-fitting dress, with a naked Harpocrates bearing the sidelock. Suspension piercing at back.

Bibliography:  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.

Reeves, N. (ed.) 2008. Egyptian Art at Eton College and Durham University: Catalogue of a loan exhibition to Japan, 24 February-30 November 2008. With contributions from C. Barclay, T. Hardwick, S. Quirke, N. Reeves, J. Ruffle, H. Schneider, and S. Spurr. (page 51, Entry No. 30).

Reeves, N. (ed.) 2008. Egyptian Art at Eton College and Durham University: Catalogue of a loan exhibition to Japan, 24 February-30 November 2008. With contributions from C. Barclay, T. Hardwick, S. Quirke, N. Reeves, J. Ruffle, H. Schneider, and S. Spurr. (page 50, Entry No. 28).

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). The trhone crown suggests that the amulet predates the other 'isis lactans' imagery in the collection as the rise in popularity of Isis saw the fusion and adoption of Hathor's radial horned crown.

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