Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0536
Egyptian Bronze Harpokrates Pendant
LATE-PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 664-30 B.C.
2 7/8 in. (20.7 grams, 72 mm).
Modelled seated with his arms by his sides, wearing a sidelock of youth and the remains of an elaborate hem-hem crown; partial suspension loop behind the headdress.
Provenance
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.
Literature
Cf. Roeder, G., Ägyptische Bronzefiguren II, Berlin, 1956, pl. 20e, for a similar example.
Footnotes
Harpocrates is the Greek version of the Egyptian 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 offered to her beloved son.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine 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.
LOT 0536
Egyptian Bronze Harpokrates Pendant
Estimate £150 - 200€170 - 230 (for guidance only)$200 - 270 (for guidance only)
RELATED LOTS
-
Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment Group
Circa 4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Comprising: an orbiculus in purple wool and coarse linen, on brown linen background, S torsion, embroidered with two stylised lions, the borders crenellated; a tabula in purple wool and coarse linen, on brown linen background, S torsion, embroidered with a central cross, the borders decorated with meanders. 36 grams total including package, 8.7-13 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
The tabula, or tablion, was a squared embroidery decorating tunics or mantles. The Christian elements, like the cross at the centre of our tabula, began to decorate the garments from the 4th century onwards. -
Egyptian Multi-Stranded Mummy Bead Necklace
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
A four-strand designer necklace composed of polychrome beads of mainly annular and tubular types. 22.9 grams, 82 cm
Acquired before 1979. From the private collection of Mr F.A., South Kensington, London, UK; thence by descent 2014.
For thousands of years, artisans in Egypt created vibrant ceramics to echo the beauty of rare jewels. These ornaments were created with almost every material, colour, and texture imaginable and they come from across Egypt and beyond: vibrant blue lapis lazuli from Afghanistan, glossy black obsidian from Turkey, and aqua-green turquoise from the Sinai. They were worn in life and, after death, they served as precious ornamentation for mummies. -
Egyptian Bronze Harpokrates Statuette
Late-Ptolemaic Period, 664-30 B.C.Estimate: £250 - 350 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £125
Devotional figurine of Harpokrates seated with his hand raised to his mouth, wearing a nemes headdress with curled side lock, topped by an elaborate hem-hem crown characteristic of the god. 59 grams, 10.7 cm
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.
Harpokrates is the Greek rendering 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 Harpokrates was believed to offer the same protection that Isis granted to her beloved son. Larger bronze statuettes like this example were likely votive offerings to Harpokrates to secure his favour and protection.
