Figurine of Isis suckling the infant Horus

The goddess Isis represented motherly virtues, raising her son Horus in secret to eventually avenge the murder of his father. Isis was an important figure in Egyptian mythology, often representing the mother of the pharaoh and guarantor of royal succession. Shown in statues as the mother suckling Horus, Isis is seen by some as the precursor of the Madonna and Child depiction.

This was one of Freud’s favourite objects and stood on his desk facing his writing materials he could regard it as he worked.