Falcon in double crown surmounting a shrine form box for an animal mummy

Unknown

664–30 B.C. · Cupreous metal · Egyptian Art

The falcon god Horus stands with his wings swept back. He wears the double crown of Egypt, a royal crown that symbolizes the union of Lower and Upper Egypt, and highlights Horus’ role as the legitimate ruler of the entire land. The falcon wears the double crown because Horus and the concept of kingship were closely tied, as early as the Predynastic Period. Though small, the piece is very detailed: the distinctive falcon facial markings are clear; the feathers are numerous, varied, and tightly overlapped; an amulet hangs on the bird’s chest and the legs are scaled in a realistic manner. The falcon stands on a small, shrine-shaped box that would have held an animal mummy. Such falcon mummy boxes, or sarcophagi, would have been offered for deposition in animal necropoleis, not just in relation to the cult of Horus, but also more broadly in association with solar cult.

Artist

Unknown

Date

664–30 B.C.

Medium

Cupreous metal

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Purchase, Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1926