New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2006.

Figurine of Horus as a Child

Artist Unknown

DatePtolemaic Period, 332 - 30 B.C.E.

MediumBronze

DimensionsOverall: 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm)
Base: 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm)

ClassificationsEgyptian

Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.

Object number77.886

Terms

Religion
Bronze

Collections

Ancient Mediterranean Art

On View

On view

DescriptionFigurine of a child sitting on a block-seat (marble base and seat appear to be modern). Figurine is naked, and has a round belly and chubby limbs. His left arm is loose along his side, while he brings his right index to his mouth. He's wearing the double crown (the pschent), the fusion of the high crown of Upper Egypt and the low crown of Lower Egypt, with a reared cobra in front of it. No hair visible except for one single thick braid on his right shoulder.

Label TextFigurine of Horus as a Child Ptolemaic Period, 332-30 B.C.E. Bronze Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 77.886 The son of Osiris and Isis, the young Horus was shielded by his mother from the wrath of his uncle Seth, who had killed Osiris and usurped his throne. Isis hid Horus in the marshes of the Nile, where he magically withstood snakes, scorpions and other dangers. Votive statues like this one depicting Horus as a chubby, naked child were often used to invoke his power to repulse evil forces. The single, thick braid of hair falling to his right shoulder distinguishes him as the child of royalty, while the gesture of putting his index finger to his mouth is another Egyptian signifier of youth, comparable to thumb sucking today. Since the murdered Osiris was understood to live on through his son, the young Horus was also viewed as a symbol of resurrection and eternal youth.