Faience, which dates back to pre-dynastic times,
of at least 5,000 years, is a glasslike non-clay
substance made of materials common to Egypt:
ground quartz, crushed quartz pebbles, flint, a
soluble salt-like baking soda, lime and ground
copper, which provided the characteristic color.
The dried objects went into kilns looking pale
and colorless but emerged a sparkling "Egyptian
blue." Called tjehnet by the ancient Egyptians,
meaning that which is brilliant or scintillating,
faience was thought to be filled with the undying
light of the sun, moon and stars and was
symbolic of rebirth. In the cultural renaissance of
the 26th Dynasty, also known as the Saite Period
(when work was produced), a green faience
similar to this piece, the color of the Nile and
evocative of the verdant landscape in springtime,
was particularly popular.
In the mythology of Egypt, Isis was the protective
mother goddess whose lap was a metaphor for
the throne of the kingdom, while her son Horus
was represented on earth by the living Pharaoh.
Furthermore, Isis was the bride of Osiris, the
healer, the protector of women, the winged
goddess able to grant immortality. The word,
“Isis,” is actually the Greek version of her older
Egyptian name, Aset or Eset, revealing that she
remained a popular deity during the Ptolemaic
period, associated with Demeter. According to
the story of Isis and Osiris, Horus, the falcon-
headed god of the sky, was conceived by Isis
from the resurrected soul of her husband Osiris
and brought up to avenge his father's murder at
the hands of his uncle Seth. Upon successfully
subduing Seth, he reclaimed his rightful
inheritance, the throne of Egypt. As a result,
Horus is associated with the title of kingship, the
personification of divine and regal power.
Here, Horus the infant is represented in his
human form seated upon his mother’s lap. She
wears a Double Crown resting above her incised
wig decorated by a uraeus cobra. Amulets such
as this one were symbols for the strength and
stability of Egypt itself, nurtured by the eternal
mother. The dorsal pillar of the throne has been
impressed with an inscription that might offer a
specific appeal to the gods. Although the
persons depicted are divine, this beautiful work
of art still presents a universal image of tender
maternity.
- (X.0120)
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