Egyptian erotic symplegma sculpture, Ptolemaic Period, c.332-30 BC
Limestone
Height: 8.6cm, length: 11.7cm
11042 TA
Further images
The naked, narrow-waisted woman lies on her back on a low-footed bed. Her right arm is raised with her hand held flat to the top of her short, tiered wig....
The naked, narrow-waisted woman lies on her back on a low-footed bed. Her right arm is raised with her hand held flat to the top of her short, tiered wig. She has full, rounded breasts, a deeply drilled navel and a soft, voluptuous physique. Her right leg is raised and her left outstretched, between them is the tip of an oversized phallus. The edges of the bed are deeply scored with horizontal furrows, presumably separating the mattress from the wood base, which is painted in a red-brown colour, as is the tip of the phallus. Traces of black paint remain to the wig. A section of the proper left, and the area beneath her knees are broken away.
This scene most likely represents the union of an ithyphallic Harpocrates and his consort.
This scene most likely represents the union of an ithyphallic Harpocrates and his consort.
Provenance
Frederick Leveson-Gower (1874-1959), grandson of the 2nd Duke of SutherlandPrivate collection, Besanc̀§on, France; acquired from the above
Private collection, France; acquired from the above
Beneath the base is an old label, likely 19th century, with a perforated lower edge and 'Samanoud' in faded ink.
Literature
See an example in the Brooklyn Museum, accession number 37.590E
