Caption

Magical stele topped with the mask of the god Bes. Magical stele cippus depicting in the lower register a naked Horus-Child in a scene of triumph over dangerous creatures. In his right hand Horus likely holds two snakes; in his left a four-legged animal—perhaps a hyena or a lion. Horus stands on a crocodile. The depiction relates to the myth of a venomous snake attacking the infant Horus during the absence of his mother Isis; the initiator of the attack was Seth, brother of Osiris, whom young Horus later fought to avenge his father's death. The upper part of the monument depicts the face of the god Bes. Late Period–Ptolemaic Period, 664–30 BC. Stele; height 20.5 cm, width 12.5 cm., A worn rectangular wooden plank with an irregular rounded top, showing a rough, textured surface with visible grain patterns, cracks, and grooves; the wood displays shades of brown ranging from light tan to medium and dark brown, with small areas of darker near-black discoloration and weathering; the edges are uneven and chipped, and the top has two small protrusions on either side; the plank stands against a neutral light gray background and rests on a smooth, slightly reflective surface.

Credit line

Photo12/Liszt Collection

Reference

LZT26A18_159

License type

Rights managed

Available size

46.0Mb (4.9Mb) / 10.7in x 16.7in / 3206 x 5010 (300dpi)

Keywords

Magical stele topped mask god Bes cippus depicting lower register naked Horus-Child scene triumph dangerous creatures right hand Horus holds two snakes left four-legged animal perhaps hyena lion Horus stands crocodile depiction relates myth venomous snake attacking infant Horus absence mother Isis initiator attack was Seth brother Osiris whom young Horus later fought avenge father's death upper part monument depicts face Late Period–Ptolemaic Period 664–30 Bc Stele height 20.5 cm width 12.5 cm worn rectangular wooden plank irregular rounded top showing rough textured surface visible grain patterns cracks grooves wood displays shades brown ranging light tan medium dark brown small areas darker near-black discoloration weathering edges uneven chipped two small protrusions side plank stands neutral light gray background rests smooth slightly reflective surface.