Roman Period, 30 BC-323 AD. A bronze amuletic figurine depicting an advancing sphinx on a base with head turned, wearing a feathered crown. 7.39 grams, 21mm (3/4"). Private collection, North London; acquired in the early 1980s. This is a very rare depiction of the goddess Isis; the goddess is usually shown either as a human figure, sometimes with wings which associate her with the kite, one of her sacred animals, or sometimes as a cow, or cow headed human, where she has taken over the roles and iconography of the goddess Hathor. In the Graeco-Roman period the goddess is sometimes shown as a human/animal hybrid, most commonly a snake with the head of the goddess, known as Thermouthis. The depiction of Isis with a lion's body could be associated with her role as Mistress of Magic and the lion could be the deity Tutu, a god of magic, sorcery and protection, here syncretized with the powerful goddess.

Fine condition.