Ancient Egyptian Terracotta Figure of Harpocrates with a banner of the god Horus. Ptolemaic period, c. 323 - 90 AD. 7.5 cm.

Figure of Harpocrates with a banner of the god Horus.

Ancient Egpyt, Alexandria, Ptolemaic period, c. 323 - 90 AD.

Terracotta

7. 5 cm height.

PROVENANCE: Private collection, Lemoine, Caen. France. 1960.

CONDITION: Intact.

DESCRIPTION:

Harpocrates (Ancient Greek: Ἁρποκράτης) was the god of silence, secrets and confidentiality in the Hellenistic religion developed in Ptolemaic Alexandria (and also an embodiment of hope, according to Plutarch) . Harpocrates was adapted by the Greeks from the Egyptian child god Horus, who represented the newborn sun, rising each day at dawn. Harpocrates's name was a Hellenization of the Egyptian Har-pa-khered or Heru-pa-khered, meaning "Horus the Child".

The depiction of the Alexandrian god Harpocrates with a standard bearing the head of Horus is a striking fusion of Egyptian and Hellenistic symbolism. Harpocrates, associated with silence and secrecy in ancient Egypt, is portrayed as a youthful figure, often shown holding his finger to his lips in a gesture of quietude. The addition of the Horus standard, bearing the likeness of the falcon-headed god, signifies protection and royal authority. This amalgamation of deities reflects the cosmopolitan nature of Alexandria, a city at the crossroads of cultures in the Hellenistic world. The figure serves as a poignant testament to the syncretic religious practices and artistic innovation of the era.

Notes:

The seller guarantees that he acquired this piece according to all national and international laws related to the ownership of cultural property. Provenance statement seen by Catawiki.
The piece includes authenticity certificate.
The piece includes Spanish Export License.