This magnificent piece is known as a “Magical Stela,” or a “Cippus of Horus.” Normally, stela 𓎗𓅱𓆓𓉸 were used to commemorate the dead but Cippus pieces are like a protective amulet 𓊐𓊪𓅆 in the shape of a stela 𓎗𓅱𓆓𓉸.
This cippus was used by the living for protection 𓅓𓂝𓎡𓀜. Since the Old Kingdom, Horus 𓅃𓀭 was called upon as a defender against snake or scorpion bites. Placing the cippus on a wound would evoke its magical and healing powers.
Smaller versions of Cippus stela 𓎗𓅱𓆓𓉸 were usually kept in homes 𓉐𓏺, but this one here at the MET is a lot more elaborate and was actually commissioned by a priest 𓊹𓍛 to be displayed in public! It’s difficult to see in pictures, but the hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪 are carved so exquisitely and I love just looking at them!
The top panel on the front of the Cippus depicts Horus 𓅃𓀭 standing on two 𓏻 crocodiles 𓅓𓋴𓎛𓆌𓏥 and holding other dangerous animals such as snakes 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆘𓏪, a lion 𓌳𓁹𓄿𓄛, an antelope 𓃲𓏺 and scorpions 𓋴𓂋𓈎𓏏𓆫𓏪 in each hand. Surrounding Horus 𓅃𓀭 are other deities. On Horus’ 𓅃𓀭 left there is Isis 𓊨𓏏𓁥, Ra-Horakhty 𓅊𓏔𓏔𓏤, and then on Horus’ 𓅃𓀭 right is Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭. The god 𓊹 Bes 𓃀𓋴𓄜 also appears above Horus’ 𓅃𓀭 head 𓁶𓏺. Bes 𓃀𓋴𓄜 was known to ward off evil 𓃀𓇋𓈖𓏏𓅨 and bad luck.
This piece is dated to the Late Period (30th Dynasty). Considering everything, I figured this would be a fitting post for today!
This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost.
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