Isis amulet

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This exquisitely shaped amulet depicts the goddess Isis. On her head is a throne, which is the hieroglyph that represents her name. Isis was the quintessential example of a loving and caring wife as well as a nurturing and protective mother. She is often described as "The Great One of Magic" and this amulet was supposed to invoke her protection and versatile powers for the benefit of its wearer. The back pillar of the piece is pierced so that the amulet could be suspended and worn, for example on a necklace.

Egyptian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met collection of ancient Egyptian art consists of approximately 30,000 objects of artistic, historical, and cultural importance, dating from about 300,000 BCE to the 4th century CE. A signifcant percentage of the collection is derived from the Museum's three decades of archaeological work in Egypt, initiated in 1906 in response to increasing interest in the culture of ancient Egypt.

Metropolitan Museum of Art