Origin: Egypt
Circa: 6 th Century BC to 4 th Century BC
Dimensions: 1.125" (2.9cm) high
Collection: Egyptian
Style: 30th Dynasty
Medium: Faience
The Ancient Egyptians believed that the pharaoh was the living incarnation of the sky god Horus, who was traditionally depicted as a falcon or a falcon-headed man. Son of Isis, Horus was conceived after his father Osiris was resurrected for one night. He would grow to avenge his father’s death, and as such, Horus was a symbol of victory and the kingship, the deification of the earthly Pharaoh. In fact, in the earliest form of hieroglyphics, the falcon symbol was a general determinative for a god. Falcons, who rule the skies with their stealth and cunning, capable of swooping down from the clouds at lightning speed and clutching their prey in sharp talons, were considered the Kings of the Air. Thus, the animal’s connection to the Horus, the King of the Sky, is quite logical. From the earliest days of the pharaonic era, the hawk was associated with royalty, often represented in paintings hovering over the king with wings spread wide. During the Late Period, some falcon sculptures include an image of the king standing between the bird’s legs, clearly establishing the relationship between these two figures. Although there is no kingly figure present between the legs of this falcon, this amulet can still be interpreted as a representation of the god Horus, and thus, of the pharaoh. This diminutive pendent is a masterpiece of intricacy. Originally, this ancient statuette would have been worn as a pendant hung on a necklace, as is evident from the ribbed suspension loop present on the falcon’s back. The details are truly remarkable. Each individual feather has been indicated by incised lines. Although highly stylized, the effect is highly naturalistic, even recreating the different texture of the feathers from the shorter ones on the top of his head to the longer ones on the tips of his wings. The scaly texture of his talons has also been realistically captured. Surely, given the symbolic significance of Horus and the absolute mastery of the carving, this pendant was worn only by an elite member of Ancient Egyptian society who must have been closely associated with the Pharaoh. Certain objects, masterpieces treasured in their own time, are of an eternal beauty that is easily appreciated regardless of era or culture. This pendant is one such stunning example; a reminder of the tremendous splendor humanity is able to create when at the apex of a great civilization. - (X.0131)

Antiquities
Ancient Egyptian