Horus falcon in double crown
The falcon god Horus stands with his wings swept back. He wears the double crown of Egypt, a royal crown that symbolizes the union of Lower and Upper Egypt, and highlights Horus’ role as the legitimate ruler of the entire land. The falcon wears the double crown because Horus and the concept of kingship were closely tied, as early as the Predynastic Period.
The falcon stands on a rectangular platform, which could have functioned in a number of ways. The figure could have been attached to a separate cupreous metal or wooden base, or it could have topped a standard modeled after those used in festival processions and on sacred barks. The falcon also could have sat on top of a hollow box intended for holding an animal mummy, like 41.160.107. Such falcon mummy boxes, or sarcophagi, would have been offered for deposition in animal necropoleis, not just in relation to the cult of Horus, but also more broadly in association with solar cult.
The falcon stands on a rectangular platform, which could have functioned in a number of ways. The figure could have been attached to a separate cupreous metal or wooden base, or it could have topped a standard modeled after those used in festival processions and on sacred barks. The falcon also could have sat on top of a hollow box intended for holding an animal mummy, like 41.160.107. Such falcon mummy boxes, or sarcophagi, would have been offered for deposition in animal necropoleis, not just in relation to the cult of Horus, but also more broadly in association with solar cult.
Artwork Details
- Title: Horus falcon in double crown
- Period: Late Period–Ptolemaic Period
- Date: 664–30 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt
- Medium: Cupreous metal
- Dimensions: H. 5.4 cm (2 1/8 in.); W. 1.6 cm (5/8 in.); L. 3.5 cm (1 3/8 in.)
H. (with tang): 5.9 cm (2 5/16 in.) - Credit Line: Funds from various donors, 1886
- Object Number: 86.1.72
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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550–300 B.C.
ca. 945–712 BCE
332–30 BCE
390–246 BCE
610–595 B.C.
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