Apartado de Correos 521, El Campello 03560, Spain
Pdf catalog
View demo
Ancient Art at the best price respecting and strictly complying with the laws of heritage protection and UNESCO heritage norms. Affordable in-house shipping.
|
LOT 3:
Egyptian statuette of Harpocrates
more...
|
|
|
To register for this auction, you must verify your account by adding a payment method and submitting credit card information
Start price:
€
120
Estimated price :
€180 - €250
Buyer's Premium: 8%
|
Egyptian statuette of Harpocrates
ITEM: Statuette of Harpocrates
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Egyptian, Hellenistic period
PERIOD: 3rd - 2nd Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 58 mm x 32 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex private collection, Abraham L., Jerusalem
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.
Harpocrates is the Hellenized version of the Egyptian god Horus as a child, associated with secrecy, silence, and protection. His origins lie in the mythology of Horus, the son of Isis and Osiris, who was often depicted as an infant sucking his finger. This gesture was later misinterpreted by the Greeks as a symbol of silence rather than a common portrayal of children. As a result, Harpocrates became the god of confidentiality and discretion, embodying the idea of keeping sacred knowledge hidden from the uninitiated.
During the Hellenistic and Roman periods, Harpocrates was widely venerated, often depicted as a youthful figure with a sidelock of hair (a symbol of childhood in Egyptian art) and sometimes holding a cornucopia, linking him to abundance and prosperity. He was frequently associated with Isis and Serapis, becoming an important deity in mystery cults. His presence in magical amulets and talismans highlights his role as a protector, warding off evil and ensuring the safety of his devotees. Harpocrates also appeared in fusion with other deities, such as being linked to Eros, further emphasizing themes of secrecy and hidden knowledge.
The worship of Harpocrates spread beyond Egypt, influencing Greco-Roman religious practices. His image was commonly found in domestic shrines and temple reliefs, demonstrating his popularity among various social classes. Over time, his symbolism extended beyond religious contexts and entered philosophical traditions, where silence was associated with wisdom and self-control. Today, Harpocrates remains a fascinating example of how Egyptian deities were adapted and reinterpreted in different cultural frameworks, blending native beliefs with Greco-Roman thought.
| Measurement: | 3.2 x 5.8 cm |
