An Egyptian Bronze Figure of Harpocrates, Late Period, 716-30 B.C.

the Son of Horus seated with his feet resting on a trapezoidal footstool, his fragmentary right forefinger lifted to his mouth, and wearing a broad collar with remains of gold or electrum inlay, separately cast braided sidelock, and the crown of Upper and Lower Egypt, his face with large eyes and eyebrows overlaid and inlaid with obsidian(?), silver, and another material, the toenails overlaid in gold, remains of inscription silver-inlaid into black bronze on the sides of the footstool.

Denys Sutton (1917-1991), London, acquired between 1957 and 1972
by descent to the present owner

As shown and described. Top of crown missing and inserted spiral fragmentary, a small chip below it. Inserted side-lock slightly off kilter. Tip of nose dented. The toenails appear to be overlaid in remains of electrum rather than gold as written in the catalogue, as is the thumbnail of his right hand. Black bronze seems to form the ground for the collar as well as the inscription on the base. Back proper left corner of base chipped; minor nicks, wear, and abrasions elsewhere.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The inscription on the footstool asks "the child Horus, the first [...] of Amun" to grant "life, health, and prosperity" to a man whose name appears to read Paiouenhor.

Denys Miller Sutton (1917-1991) assumed the role of editor of the London-based arts magazine Apollo in 1962, and retained this position for about 25 years, during which he considerably expanded the scope of the publication, addressing sensitive art preservation issues, attracting new contributors among prominent art historians and writers, writing many articles himself, and devoting several issues to the collections of museums around the world. His strong and unrelenting interest in the visual arts was a lifelong pursuit: he served as secretary of the international commission for the restitution of cultural material after World War II, worked as an art critic for Country Life and the Financial Times, authored several books on painting, including works on Watteau, Toulouse-Lautrec, Matisse, Picasso, and Whistler, and organized several exhibitions abroad such as shows on Constable and Titian in Tokyo. The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (vol. 53, Oxford, 2003, p. 382) describes him as an "astute collector of art."