Stela in the Shape of a Pylon

Stela in the Shape of a Pylon

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This large wooden stela, bordered at the top by a cavetto cornice, takes the shape of a shrine or pylon. Pictured here are the goddesses Isis (viewer right) and Nephthys (left), identified by the hieroglyphs on their heads. Each wears a fillet tied around the head, a broad collar, armbands, and anklets, and an ankle-length sheath dress with a sash. These goddesses were the sisters and protectors of Osiris, mythical king of Egypt who was murdered by their brother Seth. Isis and Nephthys revived Osiris long enough for him to impregnate Isis, who was also his wife, before descending to the underworld, where he became the principal god of the dead. The inscription here refers to spells recited by the two sister-goddesses.

Egyptian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Stela in the Shape of a PylonStela in the Shape of a PylonStela in the Shape of a PylonStela in the Shape of a PylonStela in the Shape of a Pylon

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.