Egyptian Bronze Finial - Horus Falcon w/ Double Crown

Egypt, Late Dynastic to Ptolemaic Period, ca. 664 to 30 BCE. A fine example of a cast-bronze falcon-form finial used in religious processions. The slender falcon stands in a dignified pose with delineated legs and a backswept tail atop a socketed perch, its wings held tightly against its gently rounded breast. The head includes incised ovoid eyes that peer forward behind the squat, aquiline beak. Atop the head is a Pschent crown, a combination of the Hedjet (white crown of Upper Egypt) and the Deshret (red crown of Lower Egypt) which symbolizes the pharaoh's rule over the totality of Egypt. This bird represents Horus, the falcon-headed god whose eyes were both the sun and moon, as the legitimate ruler of all Egypt. This symbolism was used to great effect by the pharaohs of Egypt to aid in legitimizing their authority over the lands and people they ruled. Great layers of green, brown, and russet patina have formed across the figure. Size: 2.4" L x 0.875" W x 4.375" H (6.1 cm x 2.2 cm x 11.1 cm)

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.

Cf. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 86.1.72

Provenance: private Toronto, Ontario, Canada collection, by descent, acquired in Egypt in 1894 to 1896

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#167199
Condition Report: Chips to patina on proper right leg, back, tail tip, and Pschent crown as shown, with softening to some finer details, and encrustations in scattered areas, otherwise intact and very good. Great preservation to avian form, and nice patina throughout.