<em>Isis</em>, 1st century C.E. Basalt, 38 1/2 × 15 × 13 in., 231 lb. (97.8 × 38.1 × 33 cm, 104.78kg). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 74.220. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 74.220_threequarter_PS9.jpg)

Isis, 1st century C.E. Basalt, 38 1/2 × 15 × 13 in., 231 lb. (97.8 × 38.1 × 33 cm, 104.78kg). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 74.220. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 74.220_threequarter_PS9.jpg)

Isis, 1st century C.E. Basalt, 38 1/2 × 15 × 13 in., 231 lb. (97.8 × 38.1 × 33 cm, 104.78kg). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 74.220. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.74.220_erg456.jpg)

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How do u know this is a sculpture of a goddess? Why doesn't it have a head?

The head question is easy to answer, it simply broke off in the approximately 2000 years since the statue was created. The sculpture is identified as Isis because of the cornucopia she holds in her hand. This is an emblem of Isis in the Roman period. The way her garment is knotted is also specific to Isis. Isis worship remained popular into the Hellenistic and Roman periods and you'll see as you explore the gallery how imagery of her changed over time.

I like this statue.

Though headless, she can be identified with the goddess Isis by her cornucopia and the knot in her garment. It is from the Roman period of Egypt's history. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, worship of Isis was popular both in and outside of Egypt.

Why is the head missing?

The head broke off at some point in the statue's history. Since the neck is often a thin point in the sculpture, it's easier for it to break there than, say, the stomach. The same goes for hands and arms, for example.

Tell me more.

Though headless, this figure can be identified with the goddess Isis by her cornucopia in her hand and the knot in her garment. This knot resembles the hieroglyph "tyt" which is also known as the "Isis knot" and is a symbol of her protection.

It is from the Roman period of Egypt's history. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, worship of Isis was popular both in and outside of Egypt.

Which goddess is this?

The goddess in that headless statue is Isis, a major goddess with great power and a role model for wives and mothers.

During this period, Egypt was under the rule of the Roman Empire which explains why Isis, an Egyptian goddess, is represented here in Roman style. The cornucopia in her hand and style of knot in her dress help to identify her.

Isis

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Some elements of Egyptian art were susceptible to frequent change, but others were bound by tradition. The style of garments shown on statues, for example, changed with fashion trends, but a sculptural form, once perfected, tended to be reproduced for thousands of years.

This statue depicts the elaborate garments favored by the aristocracy in the first century C.E. Although the clothing style of this statue differs from earlier pharaonic ones, the basic poses are identical.

MEDIUM Basalt

Place Made: Egypt

DATES 1st century C.E.

PERIOD Roman Period

DIMENSIONS 38 1/2 × 15 × 13 in., 231 lb. (97.8 × 38.1 × 33 cm, 104.78kg) mount (dimensions as installed): 40 × 15 × 13 in., 230 lb. (101.6 × 38.1 × 33 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 74.220

CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION One striding statue of a queen, she wears a close fitting draped garment, covering the shoulders, and knotted between the breasts. Her right arm falls naturally along her body and the hand is closed with emblematic stave. In her left arm she holds a cornucopia. Her wig consists of several ringlets falling over her shoulders. The uninscribed back pillar reaches the bottom of the wig. Black basalt. Condition: Entire surface pitted. Some areas especially the back pillar may not have been polished. The left shoulder, top of cornucopia, bottom of cornucopia, and the tip of the thumb and the first finger of the left hand are gone. The ringlet at the right from shoulder is mostly gone as the right thumb and part of the emblematic stave. The head is gone above the chin and the feet are gone above the ankle.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Isis, 1st century C.E. Basalt, 38 1/2 × 15 × 13 in., 231 lb. (97.8 × 38.1 × 33 cm, 104.78kg). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 74.220. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 74.220_threequarter_PS9.jpg)

IMAGE 74.220_threequarter_PS9.jpg., 2018

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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