Heraklion Archaeological Museum - CollectiveAccess System : Glass/Crystal/Porcelain and Faience : Figurine of Egyptian god Ptah- Seker [Υ597]

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Figurine of Egyptian god Ptah- Seker

Υ597

Faience

Intact

Height: 8.3 cm.

Knossos

North Cemetery

Early Archaic period:

c. 700 BC:

Gallery:

XVI

Case:

162

Exhibition thematic unit:

Geometric - Archaic - Classical period (10th-4th c. BC). Trade. Cultural influences

Description

faience figurine of an enthroned male figure with embryonic features. On his head is the triple Atef crown, a symbol of pharaonic authority. On the back of the throne stands a protective winged female figure with horns and a solar disc on her head. On the underside of the base are incised hieroglyphic signs intended as magical apotropaic symbols. The figurine accompanied an infant burial. Many similar objects were traded across the whole of the East Mediterranean during this period; they probably come from the Syro-Palestinian coast, although they are clearly based on Egyptian models. The figurine represents Ptah-Seker, the Egyptian god of artisans, architects, protection and justice. The figure on the back is interpreted as Isis or Hathor, goddesses with maternal and magical attributes. Such figurines were used as amulets.

Bibliography:

Coldstream J.N.-Catling H.W. (eds), Knossos North Cemetery, Early Greek Tombs, vols I-IV, Athens, 124 no. 20 and 605-606 fig. 182 pl. 297. Stampolidis N. Chr. - Karetsou Α.(ed.), Ανατολική Μεσόγειος, Κύπρος-Δωδεκάνησα-Κρήτη, 16ος-6ος αι. π.Χ., Πανεπιστήμιο Κρήτης-Υπ.Πο. ΚΓ’ ΕΠΚΑ, Heraklion, 1998, 223. Karetsou A.-Andreaki-Vlazaki M., Crete-Egypt, Three thousand years of cultural links, Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Herakleion-Cairo, 2001, 355.

Author:

S. P.

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