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LOT 0463
Large Egyptian Bronze Body of Horus-Harpocrates
PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 332-30 B.C.
8 3/4 in. (10 1/4 in.) (1.67 kg total, 22 cm high (26 cm high including stand)).
An acephalic seated nude statuette of Horus-Harpocrates, legs held together and arms by his side, semi-naturalistic anatomical detailing; cleaned.
ProvenanceCollection of Brugsch Pasha (1842-1930).
with Hotel Drouot, Paris, 30 September 1997, no.643.
Ex property of Mr Naudy.
Property of a French collector.
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.
FootnotesHorus, 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.
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Late New Kingdom-Late Period, 1304-332 B.C.Estimate: £1,500 - 2,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £750
On a wedge-shaped base and decorated in turquoise glaze; the ibis's beak resting on a diminutive figure of the goddess Maat; suspension loop on the neck of the bird; collector's inventory number E509' on the underside; accompanied by a custom-made display base. 22 grams total, 43 mm wide including stand
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