Ancient Egypt, Late Dynastic to Ptolemaic Period, ca. 664 to 30 BCE. A rare and slender black serpentine carving of Harpocrates (literally "Horus the Child"), the god of silence and secrets. The finely detailed portrait features Horus' nude upper body with delineated musculature, his arms held firmly against his sides, and his signature sidelock of youth draped down his shoulder from his bald pate. Petite eyes, a broad nose, and prominent lips comprise the overall physiognomy while a royal uraeus cobra extends its body down the center of his head. A suspension loop on the verso suggests this carving - perhaps of the entire figure - was worn as a pendant. Size: 0.81" L x 0.83" W x 1.36" H (2.1 cm x 2.1 cm x 3.5 cm); 2.87" H (7.3 cm) on included custom stand. Size: 0.81" L x 0.83" W x 1.36" H (2.1 cm x 2.1 cm x 3.5 cm); 2.87" H (7.3 cm) on included custom stand.
Exhibited at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) from 1986 to 1991; in the University of Arizona Museum of Art, October 1993 to December 1993; and in the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art (RAFFMA), California State University, San Bernardino from 1996 to 2023, reference number EL01.202.1996.
Published in Dr. Gerry D. Scott III. "Temple, Tomb and Dwelling: Egyptian Antiquities from the Harer Family Trust Collection." University of California Press, 1992, pp. 141, 143, fig. 90.
Provenance: Collection of Dr. W. Benson Harer, Los Angeles, California, USA; Exhibited at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) from 1986 to 1991; in the University of Arizona Museum of Art, October 1993 to December 1993; and in the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art (RAFFMA), California State University, San Bernardino from 1996 to 2023, reference number EL01.202.1996; Published in "Temple, Tomb, and Dwelling", fig. 90
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#182179
Condition
Loss to lower half of figure as shown. Light abrasions to upper body and face, otherwise in excellent condition. Great preservation to finer detailing. Metal display bar is adhered to bottom of figure and cannot be removed.