Lot 25
Egypt, Romano-Egyptian period, ca. 1st century BCE to 1st century CE. A charming, mold-made earthenware figure of the god Harpocrates, posed here nude aside from a wreath or tiara crowning his head, and enveloped in liberal remains of white gesso. Standing contrapposto, he leans against a pillar, his right forefinger to his lips, a gesture commonly interpreted by Greek and Roman conquerors as an exhortation of silence and hence ascribed to Harpocrates as the god of secrecy and silence. Drapery falls from the crook of his left arm in which is a cornucopia symbolizing prosperity. Size: 1.5" L x 3.1" W x 6.9" H (3.8 cm x 7.9 cm x 17.5 cm); 7.75" H (19.7 cm) on included custom stand.
After Alexander the Great conquered Egypt, the Greeks appropriated the Egyptian god Horus to become their deity Harpocrates (literal meaning is "Horus the child"). Horus was regarded as the son of Isis and Osiris who avenged his father's death through several battles with Seth, the legendary god of Chaos. To the ancient Egyptians, Horus symbolized the sun as a newborn. Here we have two miniature representations of Harpocrates as the god of silence, secrets, and confidentiality as interpreted by the Romans.
According to several scholars, Horus' gesture of holding a finger to his lips stems from a realization of the hieroglyph for "child". Later Romans misinterpreted this gesture believing that this gesture indicated silence. Hence, in numerous Roman mystery cults Harpocrates became the god of silence and secrecy.
Provenance: ex-Royal Athena Galleries, New York City, New York, USA; ex-French collection
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#190832
- Condition: Light surface wear with abrasions and weathering as shown, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and very nice with liberal remains of detail and gesso.
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