$382.50
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Egypt, Romano-Egyptian period, ca. 1st century BCE to 1st century CE. A mold-made earthenware figure of the god Harpocrates, posed here nude aside from his distinctive pointed cap. He stands leaning against a pillar, with one hand raised slyly to his lips, and a snake draped around his shoulders. Harpocrates was the god of silence, secrets, and confidentiality. Excavations at the city of Naukratis, located near modern day Alexandria, have revealed terracotta molds for making models just like this one; they were made from dark red-brown Nile silt in vast workshops. These figures were made for locals, but reflected the influence of Greco-Roman naturalistic styles in their depictions of the deities. They were bought by individuals and are found overwhelmingly in domestic contexts. Size: 2.8″ W x 6.6″ H (7.1 cm x 16.8 cm)
Published: J. Eisenberg, Art of the Ancient World , vol. XXIV (2013), no. 221.
Condition: Professional repair and restoration to base and chip to right elbow. Light surface wear as shown, but in otherwise good condition with liberal remaining detail. Pencil inscription and old Royal Athena collection label on verso.
Provenance: ex-Royal Athena Galleries, New York City, New York, USA; ex-Drouot, Paris, France, April 2006; ex-French collection
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