All of us have seen beautiful works of art from ancient Egypt. Here I’d like to share some photos I’ve taken that give you a feeling for the daily life of my Isis of The Red Mirror. These are actual artifacts, thousands of years old.
If you’re like me, you love to imagine the hands that poured jasmine oil from glass flasks – or shaved heads and mounds with copper blades. Each object has a story – tales of love and disappointment, tragedy and triumph. And each object has a history that begins with the man who wrought it into being and those who used or wore it, then continues through the lives of all who have held the object in their own hands over the centuries – and finally to those who gaze upon it in wonder today.

Isis wears a beaded dress to the Khent-min market. This version was worn by a 12-year old concubine of a Pharaoh. Petrie Museum

Detail of a beaded dress British Museum

The curled hair and beard of another Persian General. British Museum

A faience beaded necklace that Isis could have worn. British Museum

Egyptian game Isis might have played on her barge to pass the time. British Museum

Sit-Hathor could have worn this wig. Cairo Museum

The Vulture with outstretched wings painted on temple door lintels. Valley of the Kings tomb

Glass flasks like these held the oils that Maia poured into Isis’ bath. Petrie Museum

Sistrum with Head of Hathor. British Museum

Copper blades like these shaved Isis’ head. Petrie Museum

Sedge rope to lash Isis’ barge to the stone quay. British Museum

Antinous drew one of these swords when confronting Hetmus. Petrie Museum

From Antinous to Isidora. Greek style jewelry. All gold and no stones. British Museum

Isis would never have worn the plain sandals of a common Egyptian. Petrie Museum
June 4, 2013 at 8:07 pm