This type of stela is called a 'cippus'. It shows the child god Horus standing on a crocodile and holding snakes in his hands. It is thought that if you were ill you could pour water over the cippus. The figure of Horus and the spell on the back would give the water healing powers.

This object is 11.5cm high and made from steatite. It is called a 'cippus'. It shows the child god Horus (Harpocrates or Shed) standing on a crocodile and holding snakes in his hands. He is display victory over dangerous animals. You can see he is a child as he wears 'the sidelock of youth'. Above is a very much damaged head of the deity Bes, who is described on other information sheets. Bes is a protective deity. The stela also has protective spells on the reverse. It is usually believed that such items had magical qualities against illness. If you poured water over the cippus the figure of Horus the Child together with the magic spell on the back would impart healing powers to the water. Larger cippi were provided with basins in which to collect the healing water. It is noticeable that many stelae, including ours, are very worn. This may have been because people rubbed and kissed the items in order to gain their magical powers. Items such as these were found in the home of both rich and poor and usually date from the New Kingdom to Graeco Roman times. However, some are also found in temples and tombs. Most are known from the 6th century BC onwards. There are also late survivals among Byzantine Christians. Ours is probably Late-Dynastic to Graeco-Roman period.

Collection

Egypt Centre, University of Swansea

Inventory Number

3543291

Title

This type of stela is called a 'cippus'. It shows the child god Horus standing on a crocodile and holding snakes in his hands. It is thought that if you were ill you could pour water over the cippus. The figure of Horus and the spell on the back would give the water healing powers.

Object Type

Image

Measurements

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