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拍品專文
Horus was one of the earliest Egyptian deities. His name is derived from the Egyptian word hor, meaning "the one on high," referring to his soaring flight. His right eye was considered theologically to be the sun and his left eye the moon. Thus, he was such a central feature of Egyptian religion that over time many other deities were merged with him.
One important aspect of Horus was the avatar of the living king, as his father, Osiris, was the avatar of the deceased king. During Ptolemaic times, at Horus' temple at Edfu, according to Wilkinson (The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt, p. 203), "the god's many ceremonies included the annual Coronation of the Sacred Falcon at the beginning of the fifth month of the Egyptian year in which an actual falcon was selected to represent the god as king of all Egypt."
This magnificent bronze statue seems to suggest such an event by virtue of the royal double crown and by the position of his hands. The proper right fist is in the traditional position for holding a folded cloth, which would have suspended down beside the god's (king's) right leg. The left fist being vertical and held out to the side is in position to hold a tall royal was scepter, its bottom end resting on the base, and its top, figured end at about eye level of the falcon.
For a similar example (dated to the Late Period) see no. 9, pp. 28-30 in Umehara, et al., Miho Museum, South Wing.
One important aspect of Horus was the avatar of the living king, as his father, Osiris, was the avatar of the deceased king. During Ptolemaic times, at Horus' temple at Edfu, according to Wilkinson (The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt, p. 203), "the god's many ceremonies included the annual Coronation of the Sacred Falcon at the beginning of the fifth month of the Egyptian year in which an actual falcon was selected to represent the god as king of all Egypt."
This magnificent bronze statue seems to suggest such an event by virtue of the royal double crown and by the position of his hands. The proper right fist is in the traditional position for holding a folded cloth, which would have suspended down beside the god's (king's) right leg. The left fist being vertical and held out to the side is in position to hold a tall royal was scepter, its bottom end resting on the base, and its top, figured end at about eye level of the falcon.
For a similar example (dated to the Late Period) see no. 9, pp. 28-30 in Umehara, et al., Miho Museum, South Wing.