Egyptian bronze uraeus

Height: 9.6 cm; Width: 5.4 cm

An Egyptian bronze attachment in the form of a rearing cobra, and known as an Uraeus.

The Uraeus represented divinity, sovereignty, and royal authority. The pharaoh wore a Uraeus symbol on his crown in order to represent his authority of Lower Egypt. The Uraeus was also a protective symbol and was believed to guard the pharaoh as well as to symbolize his own role as protector of Egypt. The uraeus constitutes the consummate symbol of royalty. As time passes it is also worn by royal women and certain gods. This large example has a tang at the back for insertion into the forehead of a Royal personage or deity that most likely was made of a different material, probably wood.

Provenance: Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York 30th January 1952, Lot 49; John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection, Massachusetts

£4,800