This figurine of Isis follows the usual pattern of this mass produced icon. The goddess was seated on a throne (now lost) which can be clearly seen by the seated position of the goddess as well as the tang under her feet which was once fitted into a plinth. This feature is rather unusual as the majority of figurines were equipped with a plinth of the same material (see bibliography).

The goddess wears a tight costume. On her head a crown comprising the horns of Hathor (the left horn is broken off) and sun disc can still be seen. Attached to the back of the figurine’s neck is a loop through which a cord could be threaded.

On Isis’ lap and looking to the right, the Horus child can still be seen. His features are less detailed due to the small size of the figurine as a whole.

Inscriptions / Translations:  Uninscribed

Bibliography:  For a general account, see F. Dunand, ‘Le culte d’Isis dans le bassin oriental de la Méditerranée’ I, Leiden 1973, 109ff.
For archaeological data see E. A. Arslan, ‘Iside. Il mito, il mistero, la magia’, Milan 1997, 55-64.
For a more detailed figurine see M. Bommas, ‘Heiligtum und Mysterium. Griechenland und seine ägyptischen Gottheiten’, Mainz 2005, 13 (fig. 11).

Notes:  Figurines of this kind were extremely common in Graeco-Roman Egypt. They were usually carried around one’s neck for magical and protective reasons.

A downloadable 3D Model is available here.

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