Child Harpocrates And Dog, Roman Terracotta — Certificate Of Authenticity

Charming Roman votive figurine representing the young Harpocrates standing within a semi-circular niche, his right hand raised to his mouth, the canonical gesture of the child-god symbolizing initiatory silence. At his feet, a small, well-defined dog nestles against his left leg, an evocative emblem of fidelity and protection.
The red brick-colored terracotta, with a matte and powdery patina, displays subtle surface oxidations and fine mineral deposits, characteristic of ancient burial and oxidizing firing.
The reverse bears a circular vent hole — a technical feature typical of ancient molded figurines ensuring proper firing. The minute edge chips, calcined points, and softly worn reliefs confirm the authenticity and unrestored condition of the piece. The minor irregularities of the mold and finishing toolwork reflect the hand of an ancient craftsman, situating the work within the domestic small-scale statuary of the Imperial period.

Technical Details

• Object: Statuette of Harpocrates with dog, niche high-relief

• Culture: Roman, Greco-Egyptian syncretism

• Period: 1st century AD

• Material: Molded red terracotta with traces of red slip or pigment

• Dimensions: H. 125 mm; L. 72 mm

• Condition: Good; ancient wear, small chips, stable mineral deposits, no visible restoration

• Provenance: Former private German collection (Munich), assembled before the 2000s

• Authenticity: Certificate of authenticity included

Historical Context
In the Roman Empire, Harpocrates — the Greco-Roman translation of Horus the Child — became a central figure of the Isiac pantheon. The gesture of the finger to the lips, originally an Egyptian symbol of childhood, was reinterpreted as a sign of sacred silence, making the god an emblem of initiation and inner wisdom.
The addition of a dog, the Roman symbol of loyalty and guardianship, enhances the figurine’s protective and apotropaic dimension, situating it between familial devotion and Isiac worship. Such statuettes were often kept in domestic shrines (lararia) to invoke divine protection and serenity within the household.

Formal and Material Analysis

• Iconography: Child figure in gesture of silence; possible trace of the childhood sidelock visible on the temple; small seated dog at lower register, head turned toward the god.

• Composition: Niche-shaped format with semicircular top; frontal symmetry softened by lateral curvature; slightly convex base ensuring stability.

• Fabric and surface: Fine red-orange clay, oxidized firing, traces of red slip in recesses, dry patina with light calcareous deposits.

• Workshop technique: Two-part mold retouched with stylus; circular vent hole on the back for even firing; no modern fills.

• Surface condition: Consistent ancient wear (forehead, snout, clothing edges); small old chips; uniform coloration, no repainting.

Cultural Significance
This figurine of Harpocrates with his dog embodies the spiritual fusion between Egypt and Rome: the gentle child-god unites innocence, protection, and sacred silence. Its authentic modeling, readable patina, and integrity of material make it a valuable archaeological and religious artifact, eloquent witness to Mediterranean syncretism in the 1st century AD.

Provenance & Guarantees
Documented provenance: former private German collection (Munich), assembled before the 2000s.
Certificate of authenticity provided to the buyer.