Egyptian, Late Dynastic, 712 to 343 BCE. A cast bronze standard finial depicting Horus as a falcon wearing the Double Crown fronted by a uraeus and standing upon a plinth atop a papyrus column that presents a vertical column of hieroglyphs at the front. The details on this finial are impressive - note the feathered plumage as well as the naturalistic eyes and beak of the falcon Horus. Horace, the tutelary deity, was oftentimes depicted as a falcon-headed man donning a pschent symbolizing his reign over the entire kingdom of Upper and Lower Egypt; however, he was also represented as a the falcon itself as we see in this beautiful example. Size: 7.25" H (18.4 cm); 8.5" H (21.6 cm) on included custom stand.
The falcon was traditionally associated with several Egyptian deities. In addition, the falcon was a symbol of the sky-god Horus as well as the sun-god Amun-Re and the war-god Montu, who was also a solar deity. The Double Crown on this example suggests that this falcon finial represents Horus.
Published in J. Eisenberg, Art of the Ancient World, 2012, no. 191.
Cf. Metropolitan Museum of Art inv. no. 86.1.72, the falcon wearing the double crown of Egypt; University College London inv. no. 52736 and Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum inv. no. FIC.07.427, the falcon-headed god Montu wearing the plumed solar crown. An amulet in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, inv. no. 86.815, shows the falcon on a standard.
Provenance: ex New York, New York, USA collection; ex French collection, acquired at Bonham's London, November 2010. Published in J. Eisenberg, Art of the Ancient World, 2012, no. 191.
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#149897
Condition
A few minor casting flaws and normal surface wear commensurate with age. Old nicks to lower rim of the finial and upper papyrus capitol peripheries as well as high-pointed areas. Small section of loss to uraeus on Double Crown as shown. Bronze has developed a gorgeous deep green patina.