TEMPLE OF ISIS/LOS ANGELES
Isis came to London with the Romans and the oldest known object mentioning London
is a wine jug with the inscription "Londini ad fanum Isidis" ("to the Temple of Isis
at London"). This jug, known as the "Tooley Street Jug", can be seen in the
Museum of London, as well as remnants of a Temple of Isis. The Thames is a River
of Isis and to indirectly quote Peter Ackroyd, biographer of London and the Thames
as a Sacred River, "Isis is the Goddess of London." There is a connection between
Isis, the Vintners' Guild, and Swans as well, but I leave this story for Caroline
Wise to tell!
In the British Museum, there is a wonderful Roman statue of Isis. For years, She
was in a downstairs location as part of the Townley Collection in the Wolfson Gallery
and the Gallery was not always open. Her statue was one of hundreds in this
Gallery but she always stood out for me! (A brief glimpse of Her can be seen in
this location in the movie "Possession" - the London academics have to walk through
the Townley Collection to get to their offices!).
During my recent visit to London (after an 8 year absence), I was disappointed to
learn that the Townley Collection was closed for refurbishment. But my FOI friend
Fleur Shearman, who is a metal specialist at the Museum, kept telling me about the
Isis she wanted me to see. It wasn't until we arrived at this Isis (on the last day
of my visit) that I realized it was, indeed, my favourite Isis! She now has Her
own exhibit corner upstairs in the new Wolfson Roman Gallery (Room 70). There is
a painted reproduction of a Roman Isis Temple behind Her as well as a display case
with some related items, including a sistrum which Fleur's group prepared for the
new display. There are probably other items of interest in this case but I only had
eyes for Isis (though I did notice some poppies and wheat in a nearby plaque.)
In R.E. Witts' "Isis in the Graeco-Roman World", there is a decription of the
Hellenized Isis at the end of Chapter IV which I rephrased (as I often do) and have
long applied to this post-Hellenic statue...
"Sweetness combined with gravity,
Grace blended with majesty"
All Hail Isis!
Laura Janesdaughter, Priestess of Isis
London-Los Angeles July 2008
The pictures on this and related pages were taken by myself and my travelling
companion Chris Lorenz on Thursday, 10 July 2008 on our last day in London.
Herstorical references are from "The Aquarian Guide to Legendary London", editors
John Matthews and Chesca Potter.
| ISIS IN LONDON Wolfson Gallery, British Museum |
| "Sweetness combined with gravity, Grace blended with majesty" |
| Click on the pictures for more pictures |