Accession: E16881 Period: Ptolemaic Period, 4th century B.C. Dimensions:
H. 14.2cm
W. 6.2cm
This heavily decorated statue-stela was thought to magically cure, or to afford protection from the sting and bite of evil animals, and to generally ward off evil influence. The stela is carved with a figure of the god Horus, his youth and vigor indicated by nudity, the fleshiness of his body, and the side lock usually worn by children. His power is demonstrated by his domination of evil animals. He stands on the back of crocodiles and he holds serpents, scorpions, a lion, and an oryx in his hands. The head of the protective god Bes appears above the Horus. The background is carved with images of protective deities. The sides, back, and underside of the stela are covered with finely incised hieroglyphic spells that call upon deities to protect against evil.
