Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, 26th to 31st Dynasty, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. A gorgeous falcon figure of petite size and exquisite form that is hand-carved from mottled, azure blue lapis lazuli with dark brown, burnt ochre, and khaki hued inclusions. The majestic raptor stands upright with attenuated legs atop an integral rectangular plinth and presents its rounded chest that hangs slightly over the plinth's edge. Both teardrop-shaped wings are laid atop its back with the tips folded atop the tab-shaped tail, and an integral suspension loop is situated just beneath the neck on the verso. The squat head features a nubbin aquiline beak, a cavity atop the head that held an attached headdress at one time, perhaps the Pschent crown, and a pair of deep orbitals with a 68.25% gold eye inlaid within the proper left cavity. With smooth surfaces and deep coloration, this is a wonderful example of ancient Egyptian lapidary sophistication! Size: 1.35" L x 0.67" W x 1.34" H (3.4 cm x 1.7 cm x 3.4 cm); gold quality: 68.25% (equivalent to 15K+)

The falcon was traditionally associated with several Egyptian deities. In addition, the falcon was a symbol of the sky-god Horus as well as the sun-god Amun-Ra and the war-god Montu, who was also a solar deity. According to Egyptologist Dorothea Arnold, "The ancient Egyptians believed their kind was an incarnation of the sky god, Horus, who appeared as a falcon." She also writes how, "In their representations of Horus Egyptian artists depicted a generalized falcon, rather than any one particular species, even though Egypt is home to several. The Lanner falcon, Falco Biarmicus, and the peregrine, F. peregrinus, for example, still nest and breed in the limestone cliffs at the desert margin and in the ruins and pyramids. The birds can be seen rising on updrafts of hot desert air and performing amazing acrobatics. Th[is] sculpture follows the Late Period tradition of animal images in hardstone . . . with remarkably naturalistic details in the head and feet, while the body and wings are simplified renderings of the bird's natural features." (Arnold, Dorothea. "An Egyptian Bestiary." The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, Spring 1995, Vol. LII, no. 4, p. 45)

Cf. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 26.7.895 and The Walters Art Museum, accession number 42.220

Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection, bestowed 2006; ex-private Los Angeles, California, USA collection, acquired before 2006; ex-Hesperia Auction, New York, USA, November 27, 1990, Lot 60 #50

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#170611

Losses to proper right gold eye and headdress atop head as shown, with old mounting adhesive residue within cavity atop head. Chip to front left corner of plinth, with light abrasions and softening to some finer details, and small nicks, indentations, and encrustations to remaining gold eye. Great surface smoothness and preservation to overall form.