Harvard Art Museums > 1984.670: Amulet of Triad of Isis, Horus (Harpokrates), and Nephthys Amulets Collections Search Exit Deep Zoom Mode Zoom Out Zoom In Reset Zoom Full Screen Add to Collection Order Image Copy Link Copy Citation Citation"Amulet of Triad of Isis, Horus (Harpokrates), and Nephthys , 1984.670,” Harvard Art Museums collections online, Dec 22, 2024, https://hvrd.art/o/289329. Reuse via IIIF Toggle Deep Zoom Mode Download This object does not yet have a description. Identification and Creation Object Number 1984.670 Title Amulet of Triad of Isis, Horus (Harpokrates), and Nephthys Classification Amulets Work Type amulet Date c. 600 BCE-200 CE Places Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Africa, Egypt (Ancient) Culture Egyptian Persistent Link https://hvrd.art/o/289329 Physical Descriptions Medium Faience Technique Molded Dimensions 3.1 × 2.1 × 0.7 cm (1 1/4 × 13/16 × 1/4 in.) Acquisition and Rights Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Mrs. Beatrice Kelekian in memory of her husband, Charles Dikran Kelekian Accession Year 1984 Object Number 1984.670 Division Asian and Mediterranean Art Contact am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu Permissions The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request. Descriptions Description Molded in pale green faience, this amulet depicts a triad of deities. While the definition of this molded amulet is low, it is still recognizable as a representational type common for amulets: it depicts the Egyptian deities Isis, Horus (Harpokrates), and Nephthys as a group, holding hands. The trio is frontal, standing on a base and against a rectangular plaque backing. The left leg of each figure strides forward slightly. Represented partially in the round, all three figures are depicted with rounded stomachs and articulated belly-buttons. On the left, Isis wears a headdress in the form of a throne, recognizable by its stepped appearance. This crown is a representation of Isis’ name in hieroglyphs. Horus stands at the center. When Horus is depicted as a child, he is often referred to by the Greek name “Harpokrates” or “Harpocrates,” which is derived from phonetically from the ancient Egyptian phrase meaning “Horus-the-child.” While he is the same size as the adult goddesses on either side of him, his status as a child is indicated by his lock of hair on the right side of his head (often called the “sidelock of youth”). Horus is the son of Isis and Osiris. On the right, Nephthys wears a headdress of a temple topped by a basket, a representation of her name in hieroglyphs, visible here in the way the headdress bulges out at top. Nephthys is the sister of Isis. The back of the amulet has a pierced, flat band for suspension. Commentary In Egyptian mythology, Isis and Nephthys protected the child Horus after his uncle Seth murdered the god Osiris (husband of Isis, father of Horus) in order to claim the royal throne and control the universe; Nephthys also aided Isis in resurrecting Osiris. Ancient Egyptians used amulets like this for protection in life and death (often placed on the lower torso of the deceased), offering protection like Isis and Nephthys brought to Horus and Osiris. Verification Level This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
