Egyptian Faience Amulet of Falcon-Headed Horus

£ 550.00

A fine Egyptian green faience amulet of falcon-headed Horus. He is depicted in a striding pose with his left leg stepping forwards and his arms stiff at his sides. Such a stance, known as the ‘left foot forward’ stance, is one of the oldest standing figure types in Ancient Egyptian art. Later adopted and developed in Ancient Greece, it set the basis for the evolution of dynamism in sculptural art. The amulet shows an exceptional retention of details to the god’s figure. Horus is dressed in a shendyt (short kilt) and rests against a pillar. He wears a pschent, the double-crown of Egypt, which was a combination of Deshret and Hedjet crowns symbolising the unification of upper and lower Egypt and a ruler’s all-encompassing power. The pillar is pierced horizontally for suspension. The base has a diagonal chip that slightly cuts off the left foot, and there is another small chip on the left arm.

Date: Circa 6th-4th Century BC
Period: Ptolemaic Period
Provenance: Ex Cambridgeshire Gallery
Condition: Fine condition. A small chip to the front corner of the base and left arm. Minor surface abrasion.

In stock

SKU: IP-25 Categories: , Tags: ,

The Egyptians wore amulets alongside other pieces of jewellery. They were decorative, but also served a practical purpose, being considered to bestow power and protection upon the wearer. Many of the amulets have been found inside the wrappings of mummies, as they were used to prepare the deceased for the afterlife. Amulets held different meanings, depending on their type or form. Small amulets depicting gods and goddesses gained popularity in the Middle Kingdom and seem to have induced the protective powers of the deity.

Horus was one of the most significant Ancient Egyptian deities. He is most commonly depicted with the head of a falcon, and the body of a man. Horus was a sun and moon deity, and it was said that his right eye was the sun, and the left was the moon. Amulets of Horus were thought to grant the wearer protection in this world and the next.

To find out more about the Ancient Egyptian amulets please see our relevant blog post: Egyptian Amulets and their Meanings: Ancient Egyptian Gods.

Weight 1.4 g
Dimensions W 0.5 x H 3.1 cm
Culture

Faience

Egyptian Mythology

Region

Reference: For a similar item,Museum of Fine Arts Budapest, item 51.488

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