Object Description
An excellent Egyptian bronze statuette of a child god, most likely the Hellenistic god Harpocrates, posed as if seated on a throne, his legs are slightly bent and his arms rest on either side of his knees. The figure is depicted nude, as is typical for images of the child gods. He wears a cap with a uraeus and is paired with the sidelock of youth. He is also adorned with a wide elaborate collar represented through careful engravings. The facial features of the figure, including almond-shaped eyes, straight nose and slightly open mouth are very finely rendered and remain clear. Unlike most representations of Harpocrates where the youth is depicted with his finger raised to his mouth, this statuette shows him with both arms at his sides. The figure’s feet rest on a trapezoidal base. Child gods grew in popularity and cults from the Third Intermediate Period onwards. Although Horus the Child was immensely popular as a subject, it is difficult to assign a precise identity to such statuettes without an associated inscription. Such bronze statues of deities were placed in temples as votive offerings.
Measurements without the stand: Height 9cm
Date: Circa 664-30 BC
Period: Late Period – Ptolemaic Period