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Kneeling Figure of Harbes

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor

Private persons of means had a wide variety of choices for commemorative objects, including stelae, stone statues, and small bronzes of themselves. The owner of this figure, Harbes, is known from Egyptian history. He began his career under the Kushite kings of Dynasty XXV, had several stone statues of himself made, and built a chapel at Giza decorated with fine relief. The inscription around the belt confirms the identification of the figure.

MEDIUM Bronze
  • Reportedly From: Busiris, Egypt
  • DATES ca. 664-610 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY early Dynasty 26
    PERIOD Late Period
    DIMENSIONS 4 5/8 x 1 7/8 x 2 1/8 in. (11.7 x 4.7 x 5.4 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 37.360E
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION One bronze kneeling figure of an official named Harbes. The arms of the figure are placed in a naophorous attitude. The torso is well modeled particularly in the rear. The face does not display such detail in modeling and summarily sketched. A band of inscription occupies the back of the belt. Condition: Some slight pitting of the bronze which bears a solid green/black patina. Some corrosion products still remain evident under the arms and about the base, in the rear.
    CAPTION Kneeling Figure of Harbes, ca. 664-610 B.C.E. Bronze, 4 5/8 x 1 7/8 x 2 1/8 in. (11.7 x 4.7 x 5.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.360E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.360E_front.jpg)
    IMAGE front, 37.360E_front.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2005
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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