Sokar Hawk. Wooden birds such as these, without human heads, were placed on coffins and Ptah Sokar Osiris figurines from the Late Period (747-332 BC). Originally part of the collection of Lord Aberdare. Donated by The National Museum of Wales, Cardiff

Wooden Sokar hawk, perhaps belonging with W2001. Sometimes miniature falcons, probably Sokar hawks, were put on the base of Ptah-Sokar-Osiris figures. The falcons seem to be crouching, perhaps indicating that were mummified. Alternatively they may be depicted this way to suggest that they are covered like the image of a god. Statues of gods in temples were ritually dressed. From the New Kingdom onward the festival of Sokar was celebrated at Thebes, though it is in the form of Ptah-Sokar-Osiris that the god is perhaps best known. Originally Sokar seems to have been associated with Ptah at Memphis. Both Sokar and Ptah were gods of craftsmen. By the Old Kingdom, Sokar was also associated with Osiris and thus had become a funerary god. In the Pyramid Texts he is called 'creator of royal bones'. By the Middle Kingdom the god Ptah-Sokar was worshipped, and in later periods Osiris was added to the group.

Collection

Egypt Centre, University of Swansea

Inventory Number

3543737

Title

Sokar Hawk. Wooden birds such as these, without human heads, were placed on coffins and Ptah Sokar Osiris figurines from the Late Period (747-332 BC). Originally part of the collection of Lord Aberdare. Donated by The National Museum of Wales, Cardiff

Object Type

Image

Measurements

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