Egypt, Romano Egyptian, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE. A very fine Romano-Egyptian leaded-bronze statue of a pantheistic Harpokrates, winged and crowned, holding a cornucopia with an owl (though missing its head), dog, falcon, turtle, and serpent on the integral base. 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. Size: 2.25" W x 5.4" H (5.7 cm x 13.7 cm)
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).
Published: J. Eisenberg, Gods and Mortals: Bronzes of the Ancient World (1989), no. 148.
On loan to Ball State University Art Gallery, George Mason University, Fitchburg Art Museum from 1995 to 2016.
Provenance: private P.D. collection, Clarkston, Michigan, USA, acquired from Royal-Athena in July 1992; ex John Kluge collection, acquired from Royal-Athena in the 1980s
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.
#157868
Condition
Figure reattached at ankles, with nearly invisible resurfacing and overpainting along break lines. Loss to midsection of staff as shown. Slight bending to upper base peripheries, with softening to some finer details, light encrustations within some recessed areas, and light abrasions. Wonderful green and brown patina throughout.