Child god wearing Amonian crown and named Horus of Mednit (Aphroditopolis)
The figure represents a child god in a seated/reclining position, wearing the double feather crown, which associates him with the god Amun. The child god is usually distinguished from adult gods by a range of iconographic clues: his nudity, the finger raised to the mouth (a child-like gesture), and a sidelock on the right side of his head. The right arm of this figure is broken, and thus the position of the hand is unknown; likely it was held at his mouth or at his side, like the left arm. The sidelock also is not in evidence, but his nudity suffices for identification as a child god. Below his pectorals, the child god has two stylized fat rolls, a feature that is very uncommon on these types of statuettes. Nevertheless, many child gods are shown with rounded or chubby bellies, showcasing the god’s ability to bring about prosperity and abundance; these fat rolls express the same ideas.
Child gods grew in popularity and cult from the Third Intermediate Period onwards, rivaling even the most powerful and ancient gods, especially as temple offerings. Because of their profusion and many local forms, generally it is very difficult to assign precise identities to child gods, but an inscription on the base names this figure as Horus of Mednit.
Child gods grew in popularity and cult from the Third Intermediate Period onwards, rivaling even the most powerful and ancient gods, especially as temple offerings. Because of their profusion and many local forms, generally it is very difficult to assign precise identities to child gods, but an inscription on the base names this figure as Horus of Mednit.
Artwork Details
- Title: Child god wearing Amonian crown and named Horus of Mednit (Aphroditopolis)
- Period: Late Period–Ptolemaic Period
- Date: 664–30 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt
- Medium: Cupreous metal
- Dimensions: H. 18.3 cm (7 3/16 in.); W. 4 cm (1 9/16 in.); D. 11.1 cm (4 3/8 in.)
- Credit Line: Gift of Helen Miller Gould, 1910
- Object Number: 10.130.1364
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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550–300 B.C.
ca. 945–712 BCE
332–30 BCE
390–246 BCE
610–595 B.C.
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