Egyptian Late Dynastic Bronze Pendant - Harpokrates

About Auction

Live

Ancient / Ethnographic From Around The World

By Artemis Gallery

Nov 8, 2018

Set Reminder 2018-11-08 10:00:00 2018-11-08 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Ancient / Ethnographic From Around The World https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-ethnographic-from-around-the-world-3598
Ancient art from Egypt, Greece, Italy and the Near East, as well as Asian, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Spanish Colonial, Russian Icons, Fine art, much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

View Full Catalog (427)

• Lot Description
  Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, 26th to 31st Dynasty, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. A cast-bronze figurine depicting the child god Harpokrates (from the Egyptian "Her-pa-khered," literally "Horus the child"). He sits nude with both legs bent in front of his slender body, his right index finger extended to his mouth and left arm held to his side. Though faded, his face displays almond-shaped eyes, a wide nose, perky ears, and a drooping, separately-cast sidelock of hair. He wears a tall double crown with a frontal uraeus, symbolizing his rule over the unified Upper and Lower Egypt, and a small suspension loop projects from behind his neck. Lustrous green and russet patina envelops the figure. Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 1.125" W x 3.875" H (2.9 cm x 9.8 cm); 4.5" H (11.4 cm) on included custom stand.
  
  Harpokrates (also Harpocrates) was, in many ways, one of the most popular deities in the Egyptian pantheon for centuries on end. The offspring of Osiris and Isis, Harpokrates was originally thought to be a protective deity, warding dangerous magic and creatures away from the wielder of his effigy. His depiction as a child was a common sight in ancient Egypt as infantile gods were favored to their adult characterizations from roughly the Third Intermediate Period on into Greco-Roman times. Created mostly as temple votives, child gods were thought to have a higher concentration of power and influence, thus making for a stronger prayer request when left as an offering.
  
  References to Harpokrates appeared in classical literature, including Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 277 (Roman mythographer c. 2nd century CE) and of course Ovid's Metamorphoses as we see in the following passage, "She saw before her bed, or seemed to see as in a dream, great (Egyptian goddess) Isis with her train of holy deities. Upon her brow there stood the crescent moon-horns, garlanded with glittering heads of golden grain, and grace of royal dignity: and at her side . . . (Harpocrates) the god who holds his finger to his lips for silence's sake." (Ovid, Metamorphoses 9.688 ff - trans. Melville - Roman epic ca. 1st century BCE to 1st century CE).
  
  Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
  We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
  
  #138523

  Condition

  Minor texturing across most of figure as a result of its wonderful patina, small nicks to face, legs, body, and crown, with fading to some finer features particularly around the face, otherwise intact and very good. Light earthen deposits within recessed areas, and great green and russet patina throughout. Old inventory label beneath base.
• Shipping Info

  • All shipping is handled in-house for your convenience. Your invoice from Artemis Gallery will include shipping calculation instructions. If in doubt, please inquire BEFORE bidding for estimated shipping costs for individual items.

• Buyer's Premium
  • 26.50 %