Egyptian Terracotta Statuette of the God Harpocrates

Oblate terracotta mould with an impression of the 'eye of Horus' (wedjat) on one side, accompanied by an old collector's record card detailing findspot, place of purchase and other details. 8.8 grams, 36 mm



Acquired in March 1977. From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s. Accompanied by an old handwritten information card by Peter Clayton, collection no.127.

Moulds like this example were used to cast metal or faience items. When used for faience, traces of white paste often appear in the mould, suggesting that this example was used to produce faience wedjat eyes.

Oval body, with lightly incised detailing of the clypeus, head, prothorax, elytra, and legs; underside plain; longitudinally pierced for suspension. 4.82 grams, 22 mm



Ex Belinda Elliston collection, a member of the Egyptian Exploration Society, 1940s onwards.

Flat appliqué of the mummiform, falcon-headed Qebehsenuef, one of the Four Sons of Horus in profile, with a human ear, wearing a tripartite wig and multi-row collar around the shoulders, and hanging straps on lower body; face, decorative collar and belt indicated by fine incisions; mounted on a stand. 6.91 grams total, 80 mm high including stand



Ex Roger Liechti (1934-2010), Petit-Lancy, Switzerland (inv. no.E.494, written on the underside of the wooden mount); acquired in 1973 from the art dealer Mr. Wagner Terrassière, Geneva. Thence by descent in the family, Switzerland.

The applique belonged to a set of four depicting the Four Sons of Horus with their differently shaped heads (human, baboon, jackal and falcon). These four gods, Imsety, Hapy, Duamutef, and Qebehsenuef, were already mentioned in the Pyramid Texts of the Old Kingdom and were believed to accompany and protect the deceased from the time he or she was embalmed and buried up to the judgment of the dead. Their main function was to guard the viscera during and after mummification. The group of four objects was part of a mummy's elaborate jewellery, which also included a mummy net, a winged scarab and a broad shoulder collar. Two small holes through the back of the head and feet, which were used to sew the figure onto a textile base. Traces of yellow and blue paint. Intact.