LOT 0020

Large Egyptian Body of Horus-Harpocrates

PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 332-30 B.C.

8 7/8 in. (993 grams, 22.5 cm high).

An acephalic seated bronze nude statuette of Horus-Harpocrates, legs held together and arms by his side, semi-naturalistic anatomical detailing; cleaned.

Collection of Brugsch Pasha (1842-1930).
with Hotel Drouot, Paris, 30 September 1997, lot 643.
Ex property of Mr Naudy.
Property of a French collector.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11601-198618.
Accompanied by a scholarly note by Egyptologist Paul Whelan.

Cf. The British Museum, museum number EA35417 'Bronze seated figure of Harpocrates', for similar; Walker, S. & Higgs, P. (eds), Cleopatra of Egypt, London, 2001, p.105, no.127, for a similar example.

Horus, son of Isis and Osiris, was considered a solar deity who overcame darkness and defeated the chaotic forces of his evil uncle, the god Seth. Egyptian Pharaohs considered themselves to be reincarnations of Horus. In his youthful form, Horus the child embodies the new sun and all associated benefits. In Graeco-Roman Egypt he became Harpocrates, son of Serapis and Isis, the deity-symbol of rebirth and fertility, perhaps the most popular deity to be represented in Ptolemaic and Roman Egypt.