Egypt, Romano-Egyptian period, ca. 1st century BCE to 1st century CE. A darling leaded bronze figure of Harpocrates, the Greco-Roman god of silence, secrets, and confidentiality, depicted as a youth. Standing in contrapposto, the nude deity holds one finger of his right hand pressed to his lips in a hushing pose, a typical stance for Harpocrates and an ancient Egyptian convention to indicate children in art, while his left arm falls parallel to his slender torso and grasps a cornucopia, symbolizing abundance and fortune, in his left hand. The playful god presents as an idle child with wings outstretched behind his putto-like physique - a representation similar to that of Cupid, Roman god of love. As the cult of Isis spread throughout the Roman Empire, Isis and her son Harpocrates - literally meaning Horus the Child - were often depicted with the attributes of other major gods and goddesses as universal deities, hence his resemblance to Cupid in this example. Size: 1.1" W x 2.2" H (2.8 cm x 5.6 cm)

Provenance: private New York, USA collection, acquired prior to 1974

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#176104

Surface wear commensurate with age as shown, but otherwise intact and in good condition with liberal remaining detail and rich patina throughout. Modern adhesive on underside of base from previous display.