Egyptian Faience Mummy Bead Necklace

The goddess dressed in a long tight-fitting tunic to her ankles, standing with her left leg forward, her straight arms descending to her thighs; vulture headgear surmounted two long feathers; dorsal pillar with hieroglyphic text; repaired. 50 grams, 14 cm



Private collection Mr E. Saad, Cairo, Egypt-Montreux, Switzerland, 1970s. Ex private collection of Mr S.A., acquired from Mr Saad in 1997.

In ancient Egyptian mythology, Isis was the sister-wife of Osiris and the mother of the sky god Horus. She is associated with aspects of fertility and motherhood. This amulet unusually depicts her with a two-plumed crown, which may associate her with the goddess Sothis.

Modelled in the round wearing the atef crown with a uraeus to the brow, arms crossed on the chest holding the nekhakha (flail) and heka (crook); loop to rear of the neck; feet absent and damage to left shoulder revealing original lead core. 74 grams, 92 mm



Acquired on the German art market, 1989-1995. with The Museum Gallery, 19 Bury Place, London, WC1, UK, 1998-2003. Property of a London based academic, 2003-present.

Osiris was a deity who represents death and fertility and is commonly regarded as the quintessential god of rebirth. Though he was once a mortal ruler, as a deceased entity, his domain was the Underworld. Small figurines like this example were dedicated to the god to ensure his good favour.

Restrung group of annular and tubular beads. 17.9 grams, 95 cm long



From an old English deceased estate. Acquired on the London art market in the early 1990s. Property of a London, UK, collector.