Ancient Egyptian Bronze God Harpocrates. 10.3 cm H Late Period, 664 – 332 B.C.

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Ruth Garrido Vila
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila

Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.

Estimate  € 2,000 - € 2,500
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Description from the seller

Harpocrates God Figure.

- very fine -

Ancient Egypt, Late Period, 664 – 332 B.C.

Bronze.

8.3 cm height and 10.3 cm with the stand.

Condition: Good condition.

Provenance: Vercamer collection in the family for 3 generations, brought by Monsieur Emile Vercamer (1846 - 1934), lawyer of the mixed court of Alexandria, who lived in Egypt around 1895. Attached documentation, copy of an old black and white photograph of Monsieur Vercamer and his wife at the foot of the statue of Ramses II and a statement on the honor of the descendants.

Description:

Harpocrates is an Egyptian deity who represents the concept of youth, renewal and silence. He is the Hellenized version of the Egyptian god Horus the child (Horus the younger), who is the son of Isis and Osiris. In Egyptian mythology, Horus is known for his role as protector of the pharaoh and symbol of royalty, but Harpocrates appears in his infant form, emphasizing purity and vulnerability.

Harpocrates is typically depicted as a child standing with his finger over his lips, symbolizing silence, mystery and discretion. This gesture has been interpreted as a sign of protection against evil or negative energies. Often, he is shown with a crown of falcon feathers, which connects his figure with Horus, and with one leg bent, in a childlike attitude.

Although in the Egyptian context Harpocrates was linked to protection and healing, his cult expanded in the Greco-Roman world, where he was associated with concepts such as the god of secrets and the guardian of youth. His image as a child god with the gesture of “silence” was also linked to calm and peace, which gave him a protective symbolism.

Notes:

- The piece includes authenticity certificate.
- The piece includes Spanish Export License (Passport for European Union) - If the piece is destined outside the European Union a substitution of the export permit should be requested, can take between 1-2 weeks maximum.
- The seller guarantees that he acquired this piece according to all national and international laws related to the ownership of cultural property. Provenance statement seen by Catawiki.


Seller's Story

Gallery of Ancient Art - Archeology based in Barcelona with more than fifteen years of experience. Specialized in classical art, Egyptian art, Asian art and pre-Columbian art. It guarantees the authenticity of all its pieces. It participates in the most important art fairs in Spain, such as Feriarte, as well as in fairs abroad, BRAFA, Parcours des Mondes, Cultures Brussels. All the pieces are sent with an Export Permit issued by the Spanish Ministry of Culture. We are quick to ship via DHL Express or Direct Art Transport.
Translated by Google Translate

Harpocrates God Figure.

- very fine -

Ancient Egypt, Late Period, 664 – 332 B.C.

Bronze.

8.3 cm height and 10.3 cm with the stand.

Condition: Good condition.

Provenance: Vercamer collection in the family for 3 generations, brought by Monsieur Emile Vercamer (1846 - 1934), lawyer of the mixed court of Alexandria, who lived in Egypt around 1895. Attached documentation, copy of an old black and white photograph of Monsieur Vercamer and his wife at the foot of the statue of Ramses II and a statement on the honor of the descendants.

Description:

Harpocrates is an Egyptian deity who represents the concept of youth, renewal and silence. He is the Hellenized version of the Egyptian god Horus the child (Horus the younger), who is the son of Isis and Osiris. In Egyptian mythology, Horus is known for his role as protector of the pharaoh and symbol of royalty, but Harpocrates appears in his infant form, emphasizing purity and vulnerability.

Harpocrates is typically depicted as a child standing with his finger over his lips, symbolizing silence, mystery and discretion. This gesture has been interpreted as a sign of protection against evil or negative energies. Often, he is shown with a crown of falcon feathers, which connects his figure with Horus, and with one leg bent, in a childlike attitude.

Although in the Egyptian context Harpocrates was linked to protection and healing, his cult expanded in the Greco-Roman world, where he was associated with concepts such as the god of secrets and the guardian of youth. His image as a child god with the gesture of “silence” was also linked to calm and peace, which gave him a protective symbolism.

Notes:

- The piece includes authenticity certificate.
- The piece includes Spanish Export License (Passport for European Union) - If the piece is destined outside the European Union a substitution of the export permit should be requested, can take between 1-2 weeks maximum.
- The seller guarantees that he acquired this piece according to all national and international laws related to the ownership of cultural property. Provenance statement seen by Catawiki.


Seller's Story

Gallery of Ancient Art - Archeology based in Barcelona with more than fifteen years of experience. Specialized in classical art, Egyptian art, Asian art and pre-Columbian art. It guarantees the authenticity of all its pieces. It participates in the most important art fairs in Spain, such as Feriarte, as well as in fairs abroad, BRAFA, Parcours des Mondes, Cultures Brussels. All the pieces are sent with an Export Permit issued by the Spanish Ministry of Culture. We are quick to ship via DHL Express or Direct Art Transport.
Translated by Google Translate

Details

Culture
Ancient Egyptian
Century/ Timeframe
Late Period, 664 – 332 B.C.
Name of object
God Harpocrates. 10.3 cm H Late Period, 664 – 332 B.C.
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2025
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Belgium
Condition
Very good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1900
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
SpainVerified
9222
Objects sold
99.57%
protop

Disclaimer

The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.

The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.

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