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Lot Essay
PUBLISHED:
Grimm-Stadelmann, 2012, p. 169, no. R-512.
Carol Andrews notes that of all apotropaic amulets, cippi were viewed as the “most protective and prophylactic” against warding off noxious creatures (Andrews, 1984, p. 39). The common form, as evident in the present example, features a standing figure of Horus the child subduing various threatening beasts (quite often serpents), with the head of Bes above him. Protective magical spells are inscribed on the back. Functionally, cippi were set up in temple processions where a priest would pour water over them. The water was then meant to absorb the magical protection of the spells written on the amulet, and then drunk by those wishing to gain protection against the creatures in question, or those already suffering from life-threatening dangers such as a snake bite (op. cit. p. 40).
Grimm-Stadelmann, 2012, p. 169, no. R-512.
Carol Andrews notes that of all apotropaic amulets, cippi were viewed as the “most protective and prophylactic” against warding off noxious creatures (Andrews, 1984, p. 39). The common form, as evident in the present example, features a standing figure of Horus the child subduing various threatening beasts (quite often serpents), with the head of Bes above him. Protective magical spells are inscribed on the back. Functionally, cippi were set up in temple processions where a priest would pour water over them. The water was then meant to absorb the magical protection of the spells written on the amulet, and then drunk by those wishing to gain protection against the creatures in question, or those already suffering from life-threatening dangers such as a snake bite (op. cit. p. 40).