ClassificationsAncient Egyptian Art

Falcon Pendant

(not assigned)Egypt

CultureEgyptian

PeriodMiddle Kingdom, Dynasty 12

Date1939-1760 BCE

MediumElectrum

Credit LineGift of Cartier

Dimensions2 x 1 3/8 in. (5.1 x 3.5 cm)

Object number2007.005.002

Label TextThe Middle Kingdom in Egypt is generally regarded as the zenith of Egyptian jewelry making. The jewelers of the royal court produced items of exquisite simplicity and elegant design from rare and exotic materials. Many motifs that had heretofore been reserved exclusively for the king's regalia were adopted by the upper classes. An iconic example is this pendant of the falcon god, Horus. Horus was the symbol of the pharaoh and his protector. On this pendant he is shown wearing the Double Crown of Upper and Lower Egypt, the symbol of kingship. The falcon's wings are folded, and he perches on a schematic version of the traditional block border motif. The pendant was formed of two sheets of electrum (a combination of gold and silver, thought to have magical properties by the ancient Egyptians), and the face and details of the wings and talons of the raptor were chased onto the top sheet, and a plain back was soldered to it with silver solder. Examples of this type of pendant are found in the world's greatest Egyptian collections in Cairo, London, and New York.
Exhibition HistoryLost Kingdoms of the Nile: Nubian Treasures from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Michael C. Carlos Museum, February 9 - August 31, 2008
MCCM Permanent Collection Reinstallation, 2008 - May 20, 2009
Cartier Boutique, Lenox Square, Atlanta, Georgia, May 22 - June 9, 2009
MCCM Permanent Collection Reinstallation, July 2009 - Present
Published ReferencesRupert Wace Ancient Art (2007), number 19.
MCCM Newsletter, September - November 2009.

ProvenanceEx private collection, United Kingdom. With Rupert Wace Ancient Art, Ltd., London, England, acquired from Tring Auctions, Tring, England, July 21, 2006, lot 53. Purchased by MCCM from Rupert Wace.

Status

On view

Collections