Loading, please wait...
_900x900.jpg "Egyptian Bronze Figure of Harpocrates")
_200x200.jpg "Egyptian Bronze Figure of Harpocrates")
_900x900.jpg "Egyptian Bronze Figure of Harpocrates")
_200x200.jpg "Egyptian Bronze Figure of Harpocrates")
.jpg "Egyptian Bronze Figure of Harpocrates")
.jpg "Egyptian Bronze Figure of Harpocrates")
LOT 0028
Egyptian Bronze Figure of Harpocrates
LATE PERIOD, 664-332 B.C.
7 1/4 in. (584 grams, 18.5 cm).
Seated nude statuette of Harpocrates, with legs together and left arm by his side, right arm bent across the chest with forefinger raised to his lips, wearing a nemes headdress with uraeus on the front and a bold sidelock on the right side, surmounted by an elaborate hem-hem crown consisting of three conical atef crowns each topped with a sun disc, with an ostrich plume to the side of the outermost, and flanked by two uraei with sun discs, all supported on two horizontal ram's horns; semi-naturalistic anatomical detailing; feet resting on an integral square plinth, mounted on a wooden stand.
ProvenanceEx pre-war collection, Switzerland.
Private collection, Europe.
Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00075707.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12371-226682.
Cf. Roeder, G., Ägyptische Bronzefiguren II, Berlin, 1956, pl. 21c-d, for a similar example.
FootnotesHarpocrates is the Greek rendering of the Egyptian Hor-pa-khered, which translates as 'Horus the Child'. This refers to Horus as the divine infant of Isis and Osiris. Statuettes of Harpocrates could provide the dedicator with the same protection that Isis gave her beloved son.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
-
Egyptian Carnelian Fly Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Formed as a fly with long triangular wings and domed eyes. 0.42 grams, 12 mm
From an early 20th century collection.
Fly amulets first appeared in burials as early as c. 3200 B.C., but their popularity expanded during the New Kingdom. They were made from various materials such as gold, silver, lapis lazuli, carnelian, amethyst, faience, and bone. Fly amulets were thought to protect against insect bites and to ward off troublesome flying creatures through apotropaic magic. They may also have even been intended to symbolise the fly’s fecundity. Pharaohs would bestow gold fly-shaped pendants as military awards to honour the bravery and fly-like persistence of soldiers in battle. -
Egyptian Necklace with Fly Beads
New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, 1550-1350 B.C. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £1,430
Group of restrung annular turquoise beads with gilt-metal interstitial collars and carnelian fly amulets; S-hook and eye closure; with custom display box. 10.45 grams, 48.5 cm long
Ex Swiss collection, kept in London since the 1980s. Accompanied by a copy of a previous illustrated catalogue page.
Since Egyptian artists often depicted fly whisks in the hands of pharaohs and high officials, one might assume that flies were simply a nuisance. However, the Egyptians held flies in high regard due to their quick speed, reactions, and persistence. Small fly amulets first appeared in burials during the Naqada II Period, c. 3200 B.C. These amulets grew in popularity, and the materials used to make them expanded during the New Kingdom, including gold, silver, lapis lazuli, carnelian, amethyst, faience, and bone. Fly amulets were believed to protect against insect bites and to ward off troublesome airborne creatures through apotropaic magic. Some believe they may have even been intended to symbolise the fly’s fecundity. Additionally, pharaohs would bestow gold fly-shaped pendants as military awards to honour the bravery and fly-like persistence of soldiers in battle. -
Egyptian Carnelian Fly Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Carved with ribbed body and eye detailing; drilled through the eyes for suspension. 0.37 grams, 12 mm
From the private collection of H. Norry, 1980s-1990s.
