



Wooden Cippus, Late period, Findspot Egypt, Wood and paint, The British Museum
Wooden Cippus
Object Type
cippus
Museum number
EA60958
Description
Wooden cippus; painted black with yellow detail. Head of Bes tops the stela above a high relief depiction of Horus as a child, who stands on crocodiles and grasps two snakes and a Seth-animal in his right hand, and a scorpion and dog (?) in his left. Staff with Horus-falcon on left of figure. Painted hieroglyphic text on the back, sides and base.
Cultures/periods
Late Period
Findspot
Found/Acquired: Egypt
Africa: Egypt
Materials
wood
Technique
painted
Dimensions
Height: 42.50 centimetres
Weight: 2602 grammes
Width: 23.30 centimetres
Depth: 10.80 centimetres (base)
Inscriptions
Inscription type: inscription
Inscription script: hieroglyphic
Curator's comments
The cippus was a protective magic stela; water poured over the stela was thought to acquire healing properties. The depiction of Horus the child grasping and trampling animals associated with danger helped to negate their dangerous powers and physical threats.
Published:
Wiese, 2001. Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig Die Agyptische Abteilung,…
Bibliographic references
Shaw & Nicholson 1995 / British Museum Dictionary of Ancient Egypt (p133)
Location
Not on display
Exhibition history
Exhibited:
2001-2014, Basel, Switzerland, Antikenmuseum. Long term loan.
2022-2023 13 Oct-19 Feb, London, BM, Hieroglyphs: unlocking ancient Egypt
Condition
good
Subjects
ancient egyptian deity
Associated names
Representation of: Bes
Representation of: Harpocrates
Department
Egypt and Sudan
BM/Big number
EA60958
Registration number
OC.299
Conservation
Treatment: 08 Feb 2001
Treatment: 29 Oct 1999
Conservation Treatment: 10 Feb 2022
Title:
Wooden Cippus, Late period, Findspot Egypt, Wood and paint, The British Museum
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/Y\_EA60958
The British Museum