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Head from a figure of a child god, perhaps Harpokrates

Late Period (Saite)–Ptolemaic Period
664–30 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 130
This tiny head likely comes from the figure of a child god, perhaps Harpokrates, son of Isis and Osiris. The god’s youth is indicated by the braided sidelock that emerges from the cap that covers his head. Despite its small size, the face is carefully crafted, and the clearly delineated features are well preserved.

Beginning in the Third Intermediate Period (ca. 1000-700 B.C.), child gods grew in importance, and were especially popular as temple offerings. The best known of these was Harpokrates (Horus the Child, or Hor-pa-khered), but since this head preserves no inscription, it could also represent a different youthful deity, such as Khonsu the Child, Ihy, or Harsiese.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Head from a figure of a child god, perhaps Harpokrates
  • Period: Late Period (Saite)–Ptolemaic Period
  • Date: 664–30 BCE
  • Geography: From Egypt
  • Medium: Faience
  • Dimensions: H. 2.3 × W. 2 × D. 2.2 cm (7/8 × 13/16 × 7/8 in.)
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Nanette B. Kelekian, 2020
  • Object Number: 2021.41.42
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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