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Identification and Creation

Object Number
2020.286
Title
Horus on the Crocodiles
Classification
Sculpture
Work Type
sculpture
Date
4th-1st century BCE
Period
Ptolemaic period
Culture
Egyptian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/371008

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Greenish stone
Technique
Carved
Dimensions
11.6 × 6.7 × 1.5 cm (4 9/16 × 2 5/8 × 9/16 in.)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
[C. Dikran Kelekian Ancient Arts, New York, (by 1974)], sold; to Robert and Sally Huxley, New York (1974-2020), gift; to the Harvard Art Museums.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Robert and Sally Huxley in memory of the Kelekian Family
Accession Year
2020
Object Number
2020.286
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
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Descriptions

Description
The front of this trapezoidal plaque of greenish to light brown stone is carved with an image of the god Horus standing on the backs of two crocodiles facing in opposite directions. Above and behind Horus appears the bearded frontal face of the protective deity Bes, rendered on a much larger scale.

Horus is also shown frontally. He is depicted as a child, with a lock of hair on the right side of his head indicating his youth. His hands grasp dangerous creatures, including scorpions and snakes. To the left of the scene is a falcon atop a papyrus emblem, and to the right a lotus emblem associated with the god Nefertum. Other motifs incised in the background include a figure spearing a snake. These images are key to the function of this small-scale relief: to cure and protect from snake bites, scorpion stings, and other wounds and ailments.

The face and chest of Horus and the brows of Bes—the most prominent parts of the relief—are worn and chipped, but the rest of the surface is well-preserved. The back of the plaque shows a roughly engraved figural scene at top and 13 lines of hieroglyphic writing below. The narrow edges of the plaque are inscribed, as well. No surface is left blank. These texts or pseudo-texts reinforced the magic properties of this portable object.

Depictions of Horus on the Crocodiles were in use from dynasty 18 (c. 1550–1295 BCE) through the Roman period (30 BCE–395 CE). They range in size from small-scale amulets (compare 1969.177.108) to large stone reliefs. Scholars often refer to these objects as "cippi" with a Latin term. On a larger, uninscribed cippus in the Harvard Art Museums collection, Horus and Bes are joined by other divine figures (1991.642).

Related Works

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu