The falcon had been a sacred animal for a number of cults, such as those of the god Montu and the god Ra. Most prominently, its predatory character and strength of its flight made this bird a zoomorphic representation of the deity associated with the living pharaoh, Horus. With his parents, Osiris and Isis, Horus formed one of the most important divine triad closely connected to the royal cult. There were falcon cults all across Egypt, with the most spectacular discovered at Saqqara, where many thousands of birds were mummified and buried in an extensive complex of animal necropolises.
Egyptian Blue Faience Amulet of Horus as a Falcon
£ 700.00
An Ancient Egyptian blue faience amulet in the form of Horus as a falcon. The bird has been rendered naturalistically, depicted standing on a rectangular base, with his taloned feet close together and his wings in a resting position, held close to the body. His straight legs lead up to an elegantly curved chest, his tail feathers finely modelled. Horus’s rounded eyes face forward, set on either side of the prominent beak. There is a suspension loop to the back of the falcon.
Period: Late Period
Condition: Fine condition. Bright and vibrant glaze. Minor discolouration around the base and earthly encrustations to the surface.
| Weight | 3.3 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | L 1.9 x W 0.9 x H 2.5 cm |
| Region | North Africa |
| Faience | Blue Faience |
| Egyptian Mythology | Horus |
Reference: For a similar item, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, item 26.7.864
