Amulet of the Goddess Isis Nursing the God Horus
Creator Name
Cultural Context
Date
Source
About the Work
Curationist Object DescriptionThe mother goddess Isis sits on a throne nursing the god Horus as an infant. This small hematite amulet from Dynasty 25 brought protection to mothers and children, and may have been an amulet of fertility or rebirth. Its production in hematite, a curative bloodstone, may indicate its use in female reproductive health as well.
Isis was often depicted breastfeeding in images termed "Isis lactans," reinforcing her role as a creator, protector, and fecund symbol. These images had a direct influence on later images of the Virgin Mary breastfeeding Christ, known as "Madonna" or "Maria lactans."
Isis was often depicted breastfeeding in images termed "Isis lactans," reinforcing her role as a creator, protector, and fecund symbol. These images had a direct influence on later images of the Virgin Mary breastfeeding Christ, known as "Madonna" or "Maria lactans."
Work details
"--" = no data available
= Curationist added metadataTitle
Creator
Worktype
Cultural Context
Material
Dimensions
Technique
Language
--
Date
Provenance
Style Period
Rights
Inscription
--
Location
Source
Subjects
Topic
--
Curationist Contributors
Related Content
All Works in Curationist’s archives can be reproduced and used freely. How to attribute this Work:
Unknown, Amulet of the Goddess Isis Nursing the God Horus, 747 BCE–656 BCE. Art Institute of Chicago. Isis was often depicted breastfeeding in her images, which had a direct influence on the proliferation of Madonna lactans in the Medieval era. Public Domain.
Help us improve this content!
Let our archivists know if you have something to add.
Save this work.
Start an account to add this work to your personal curated collection.
