Egyptian Granite Falcon

Collection of Richard and Molly Alexander (nee Rendell), established shops in the Lanes, Brighton UK, in the 1960s. Richard was a noted expert in Greek and Roman art having work with Spink & Son, London, after WWII. Retiring from dealing in the late 1970s, they kept the remaining collection in their Seaford, UK home for the past 40 years. (accompanied by a letter from Molly's nephew and executor)

Overall in good condition, with part of the integral base missing as shown

The falcon is one of the few clear examples of a motif known in Egypt’s Predynastic times that continued into the Dynastic period, after 3150 BC. It symbolized the king as an embodiment of the falcon-headed god Horus, the patron deity of kingship. Horus was a falcon-deity, originally a sky-god, and was most commonly identified with the king during his lifetime. Known more importantly as the son of Osiris and Isis, Horus was also the avenger of his father Osiris, who was killed by Set.

For a similar example, but in limestone, see the Horus Falcon, North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, North Carolina.