Amulet of Isis, Horus, and Nephthys

According to the myth the sister goddesses Isis and Nepthys cared for the body of Osiris and later they protected his son Horus as a young child. The three deities depicted in this triad amulet are some of the main protagonists in the Osiride myth that tells the murder and revival of the god Osiris and the birth and triumphal avenge of his son Horus.

Horus is in the center of the group here, flanked by his mother Isis on his right and his aunt Nephthys on his left. Isis is identified by the stepped throne hieroglyph on her head and likewise Nephthys wears the two hieroglyphic components of her name as a headdress.

The goddesses are holding the hands of Horus, who is shown slightly larger than them, but his sidelock and nudity identify him as a child. The intimate gesture of holding Horus’ hands not only alludes to his young age, but it also symbolizes the goddesses’ care and protection for him.

This amulet of Isis, Horus, and Nephthys is probably supposed to guarantee the same kind of protection and help of the sister goddesses for the reborn deceased that they provided for both Osiris and the young Horus.

Late Period to Ptolemaic Period, ca. 664-30 BC. Made of Egyptian faience. Dimensions: height: 4.7 × width: 3.4 × depth: 2.5 cm (1 7/8 in. × 1 5/16 in. × 1 in.)

Formerly Carnarvon Collection, purchased in Cairo before 1923. Carnarvon Collection purchased by the Museum from Lady Carnarvon, 1926. Now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 26.7.890