Antique Terra Cotta Sculpture of Harpocrates
Antique terracotta sculpture of human head, probably a portion of a full sculpture. This item was originally purchased at an antique shop in New York in the nineties. I was told it was the head of Harpocrates (see info below), notice ‘Sidelock of Youth’ on the side of the head. Date unknown. Measures 1.25 inches width x nearly 1.5 inches height. Has a label on the back, possibly for archival / inventory purposes, when initially discovered & stored. Asking $125.
The stand is not included. It is a wax base I use to photograph such items.
The sidelock of youth (also called a Horus lock, Prince’s lock, Princess’ lock, or side braid) was an identifying characteristic of the child in Ancient Egypt. It symbolically indicates that the wearer is a legitimate heir of Osiris. The sidelock was used as a divine attribute from at least as early as the Old Kingdom.
In earlier depictions, the sidelock can be seen with short hat-like hairstyles in, for example, mortuary cults. Later it was usually attached to an almost shoulder-length wig, which was worn in three styles: curled, straight, or in tresses. Based on the connection between sidelocks and children, Egyptologists coined the term “sidelock of youth”. They are worn by both mortal and divine children.