Stela of a polymorphic god

Unknown

664–332 B.C. · Black steatite · Egyptian Art

Polymorphic deities, also called pantheistic deities, combine a given deity's form or head with animal elements from other deities and often with elements like wings or phalluses that suggest magical power. The proliferation of representations of polymorphic deities is a phenomenon of the first millennium. Scholars do not agree on the meaning of the conjoined forms, but the images are considered positive. This fragment of a stela shows preserves two levels of wings beneath an arm, the doubled wings typical of many polymorphic deities. The wings are crossed by a staff in the deity's hand and another midway across the arm. The head is not preserved - most frequently it might be a Bes-image but other gods like Amun or various solar deities are possible. Magic texts appear beneath the wings and on the reverse of the stela.

Artist

Unknown

Date

664–332 B.C.

Medium

Black steatite

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Purchase, Fletcher Fund and The Guide Foundation Inc. Gift, 1966