Relief with royal Horus name, fragment of a royal titulary
Egypt, New Kingdom, probably 19th Dynasty, 13th century B.C. Provenance: Charles Dikran Kelekian, New York, acquired 1969 (T3418) This small relief shows in recessed design a finely worked Horus falcon wearing a double crown and facing to the right. Behind the crown shines a sun encircled by a uraeus snake from whose body an Ankh symbol hangs. At first sight one might think of a sculptor’s model of a falcon, but on closer inspection it seems probable the falcon is to be seen in a wider context, namely as part of a royal titulary. Dr. A. Wiese
Limestone with traces of polychrome painting
H. 32.8 cm (21 5/16 in.), w. 23.9 cm (15 ½ in.), d. 2.7 cm (1 ¾ in.); intact
Leonore Wexeler (1928 - 2004), Chicago, Illinois, acquired from Charles D. Kelekian in April 1976
The Egyptian king possessed a five-part titulary, which he received on ascending to the throne. It constituted an important element of his divine roles as well as a government program. Since the pre-Dynastic era the king could appear in the role of the powerful falcon god Horus, the lord of the skies. The corresponding title was “Horus in the Palace” and was expressed through the image of the “falcon above the palace”. The individual Horus name of every king is surrounded by a palace wall in a kind of cartouche. Below that appears part of the niche facade of the palace.
Judging by the traces still visible it seems likely that a Horus name follows below the falcon as well as a palace facade with niche decor (serekh). The fragment might have formed part of a stele or a temple inscription.