U74

Egyptian faience Isis amulet

A small green glazed faience amulet in the form of the goddess Isis seated on a throne.

Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, 730-332 BC

Intact

Size: 1.9 x 0.9 cms

Ex. collection: Viscount Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer; Althorp House, Northumberland, UK. This item is thought to have been collected by John Poyntz Spencer, the 5th Earl Spencer (1835-1910). The 5th Earl held several important political positions including First Lord of the Admiralty and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
The Spencer family is perhaps best known today for the 9th Earl's sister, Lady Diana Spencer who was to become the iconic and ill-fated Princess Diana of Wales. Althorp House was Diana's childhood home and now the location of her final resting place.
Other notable Spencers include Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire who was probably as well known as Diana in the 18th Century. The 1st Earl Spencer was the great-grandson of the 1st Duke of Marlborough.