Egypt, Romano-Egyptian period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE. A beautiful votive plaque comprised of an upper gold register (75% gold, equivalent to 18K) with two images of the falcon god Horus in repousse and a nearly pure silver panel (98% silver) below presenting Isis. Horus, the tutelary deity, was oftentimes depicted as a falcon-headed man donning a pschent symbolizing his reign over the entire kingdom of Upper and Lower Egypt; however, he was also represented as a falcon. Isis, the Egyptian goddess of motherhood and fertility, stands and faces the viewer, raising her right hand to direct us to the Horus panel, while her left hand holds a palm frond by her side, and is surrounded by a striated border. The gold and silver panels are mounted to a bronze panel. Custom museum-quality display stand included Size: 2.375" W x 4" H (6 cm x 10.2 cm); total weight: 80.2 grams; precious metal quality: 75% gold, 98% silver
The ancient Egyptians believed that their pharaoh was a personification of Horus the sky god - depicted as either a falcon-headed man donning the pschent (a red and white crown) to symbolize his reign over Egypt or as the bird itself - a powerful icon of power, speed, and talent for hunting - as we see in this example. Isis was daughter to Geb, god of the Earth, and Nut, goddess of the Sky, and wife of Osiris. Oftentimes shown as the mother of Horus, she is also known as a protector of children. In addition to being revered as the ideal mother and wife, Isis was revered as the patroness of magic and nature, a supporter of sinners, slaves, and artisans as well as a friend to rulers and the wealthy.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Frances Artuner collection, Belgium, acquired in the 1960s
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#146050
Condition
Gold panel shows expected indentations and minute losses at the peripheries, but the imagery is still vivid. Silver panel shows surface wear, deposits, and losses to peripheries. The bronze panel on the back shows expected age wear with losses to a few fasteners, but nice remains of several, as well as a rich green patina.