Object Description
A vibrant Egyptian turquoise faience amulet featuring the Osirian triad. Three figures are depicted in high relief; the goddess Isis on the left, her son Horus in the centre and the goddess Nepthys on the right. Isis and Nephthys are depicted as grown adults, clothed in skin-tight fabric and wearing their attributed headdresses. Isis wears the stepped throne headdress, the same hieroglyphic sign used in her name. Nephthys similarly, is depicted wearing the house and basket headdress, signs which constitute her hieroglyphic name. Both goddesses can be seen reaching out towards the central figure of Horus, clasping his hands. The younger god, although depicted slightly larger than the two female figures, can be identified as a child from his nudity and the sidelock of hair. The latter was used by children and has been coined the ‘sidelock of youth’. It symbolised that each child was an heir of Osiris. Isis and Nephthys act as guardians to the young Horus, offering him protection through their intimate gesture. The three figures are depicted standing on an integral base. The back of the amulet is plain and there is a grooved loop for suspension. The amulet is attached to a small metal stand. There is an old Sotheby’s auction sticker to the reverse of the amulet, indicating the lot number and sale. An exceptionally rare piece in wonderful condition.
Height, including stand: 6.7cm
Date: Circa 640 – 30 BC
Period: Late Period – Ptolemaic Period