Egyptian Faience Isis Amulet

The woven textile fragment of linen and wool with a large horizontal decorative band depicting octagonal rosettes inscribed in rhomboids; the rosettes divided by stylised columns decorated with foliage elements; the band edged by two lateral segments formed of octagonal rosettes enclosing flowers, bordered with scalloped geometries; at the bottom four stylised dancers. 285 grams, 60 x 35.5 cm



Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.

It is the lower part of a cloak from the Fatimid era. The end of the Coptic period was characterised by a treatment of eight-lobed rosettes, a current motif in Muslim art. The four dancers are made as simple signs.

Naturalistic detailing to the blue stained body and legs with section of openwork between the front and back legs; hieroglyphs on base; pierced for suspension. 1.72 grams, 15 mm



Ex collection of Emil Saad, Paris-Alexandria.

The nude body with legs held together and arms by his side, semi-naturalistic anatomical detailing; cleaned. 993 grams, 22.5 cm high



Collection of Brugsch Pasha (1842-1930). with Hotel Drouot, Paris, 30 September 1997, lot 643. Ex property of Mr Naudy. Property of a French collector. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11601-198618. Accompanied by a scholarly note by Egyptologist Paul Whelan.

Horus, son of Isis and Osiris, was considered a solar deity who overcame darkness and defeated the chaotic forces of his evil uncle, the god Seth. Egyptian Pharaohs considered themselves to be reincarnations of Horus. In his youthful form, Horus the child embodies the new sun and all associated benefits. In Graeco-Roman Egypt he became Harpocrates, son of Serapis and Isis, the deity-symbol of rebirth and fertility, perhaps the most popular deity to be represented in Ptolemaic and Roman Egypt.