LOT 0039

Large Egyptian Bronze Statue of Re-Horakhty

THIRD INTERMEDIATE PERIOD, 1069-702 BC

10 3/4" (896 grams total, 27cm including stand).

A substantial bronze figure of Re-Horakhty standing in advancing pose on a rectangular base; the god modelled with a sun-disc and crescent atop his head and uraeus extended in front, the falcon-head depicted wearing a ribbed tripartite wig and with beaded gold wire frames to the eyes; left arm bent and fist hollowed to grip a symbol, right arm straight to the side with similar hollow fist; pleated kilt and belt to the hips; mounted on a tiered socle base.

Smith family collection, Cambridge, UK since 1949.
Private UK collection since 1978.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.11033-183985.

Cf. similar figure (lacking the crown) in the Art Institute of Chicago, USA, under accession number 1894.261.

Re-Horakhty was a combination of the solar gods Re (Ra) and Horus, who promised their worshippers eternal life through the rising of the sun each dawn. Re-Horakhty was associated especially with the city of Iunu, near modern Cairo, later known as Heliopolis ('city of the sun') in his honour.