EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS
STEATITE CIPPUS
EGYPTIAN, LATE PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, CIRCA 100 B.C.
Depicting Horus, facing forward, standing upon two opposing crocodiles, wearing the Lock of Eternal Youth and grasping a gazelle and serpents, with a wadi column surmounted by a Horus falcon, the head of Bes above, the front and back covered with a form of typical magical text composed of ‘garbled’ and ‘pseudo’ hieroglyphs
Height 10 cm.
PROVENANCE
Private collection, Harrogate, 1960s-2015
The magical powers of the texts on such objects were conveyed by pouring water over the inscriptions and into a bowl from which a person would drink in order to heal themselves for disease or bites. The magical powers of these smaller amulets, such as this one, could also be passed by rubbing them which is why, in many instances, the surfaces are worn.
£6,500
