Egyptian Bronze Harpocrates Statue

26TH DYNASTY, 664-525 B.C.

7 3/4 in. (480 grams total, 19.8 cm including stand).

Modelled in the round, shown nude, seated with his left arm by his side and his right forefinger on his chin, wearing a sidelock of youth, nemes headdress surmounted by an elaborate hem-hem crown; mounted on a custom-made stand with dealer's label to underside.

Provenance

Ex Fitzthum collection, Vermont, New England.
Acquired New York, USA, 2000.
Acquired from Royal Athena Galleries, New York, USA, 20 March 2008.
Ex Keane collection, UK.

Accompanied by a copy of the original Royal Athena Galleries invoice no.11164.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13272-252852.

Literature

Cf. Roeder, G., Ägyptische Bronzefiguren II, Berlin, 1956, pl. 20g, for a similar example.

Footnotes

Harpocrates is the Greek equivalent of the Egyptian name Hor-pa-khered, which means ‘Horus the Child’. This name refers to Horus as the divine infant of Isis and Osiris. Wearing an amulet of Harpocrates was believed to provide the same protection that Isis granted to her beloved son. Larger bronze statuettes were probably votive offerings to Harpocrates, intended to secure his favour and protection.

CONDITION

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LOT 0050