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Lot Essay
In Egyptian mythology, Horus was the son of Osiris and Isis, and was depicted as a falcon-headed god of the sky. According to myth, Osiris ruled over the Egyptian pantheon until he was murdered by his jealous brother Set. Isis, grieving her dead husband set out to resurrect him by gathering his dismembered body parts that were scattered throughout the Nile river. The only piece that was missing was his phallus which had been consumed by a fish. She created a golden replacement for the organ, and was able to bring the god back to life long enough for him to impregnate her. From this union came Horus, who also inherited the wrath of his uncle Seth. Horus and Seth continuously met in different battles, with Horus always beating his persistent uncle, leading to his ultimate ascendance to Osiris’ throne.
Here in the present example, there are two notable features that reference uncle-nephew battle. Firstly, Horus is depicted as standing over the pelt of a deceased oryx. The oryx was associated with Seth in ancient Egyptian religion, thus clearly referencing Horus’ triumph over his uncle. Secondly, his eyes are inlaid with gold filigree. According to myth, in his role as sky-god, one of Horus’ eyes represented the sun, and the other the moon. Precious metal inlays are not uncommon in fine Egyptian bronzes of gods and Pharaohs from this period, but for Horus the visual implications of gilded eyes as celestial planet makes for a particularly striking combination of material and myth.
The integral rectangular plinth is inscribed in hieroglyphs on all four sides, reading: 'Invocation-offerings (for) Haroeris (?)(and) Mut, who give life, prosperity, health, a long lifespan and a good old age (for) Pa-iu, son of P(a)-di-Aset, her (sic) mother Ta-heret, and wife Aset, Justified'.
Compare an Egyptian bronze Horus of Hebenu atop a bound oryx from the Recanati Collection, Christie's, New York, 26 January 2023, lot 20. For parallels in New York (Metropolitan Museum 45.2.11), Baltimore (Walters Art Museum 54.1013), and Cairo (CG 60359), see M. Hill, 'Small Divine Statuettes Outfitting Religion', in A. Masson-Bergoff, ed., Statues in Context: Production, Meaning and (Re)-uses, Leuven, 2019, pp. 35-49.
Here in the present example, there are two notable features that reference uncle-nephew battle. Firstly, Horus is depicted as standing over the pelt of a deceased oryx. The oryx was associated with Seth in ancient Egyptian religion, thus clearly referencing Horus’ triumph over his uncle. Secondly, his eyes are inlaid with gold filigree. According to myth, in his role as sky-god, one of Horus’ eyes represented the sun, and the other the moon. Precious metal inlays are not uncommon in fine Egyptian bronzes of gods and Pharaohs from this period, but for Horus the visual implications of gilded eyes as celestial planet makes for a particularly striking combination of material and myth.
The integral rectangular plinth is inscribed in hieroglyphs on all four sides, reading: 'Invocation-offerings (for) Haroeris (?)(and) Mut, who give life, prosperity, health, a long lifespan and a good old age (for) Pa-iu, son of P(a)-di-Aset, her (sic) mother Ta-heret, and wife Aset, Justified'.
Compare an Egyptian bronze Horus of Hebenu atop a bound oryx from the Recanati Collection, Christie's, New York, 26 January 2023, lot 20. For parallels in New York (Metropolitan Museum 45.2.11), Baltimore (Walters Art Museum 54.1013), and Cairo (CG 60359), see M. Hill, 'Small Divine Statuettes Outfitting Religion', in A. Masson-Bergoff, ed., Statues in Context: Production, Meaning and (Re)-uses, Leuven, 2019, pp. 35-49.