Posted 8 years ago
Windrift
(2 items)
Please help me identify this unique piece! Appears to be an iron hood ornament, being worn more heavily and oxidized on one side. It contains in the center a longhorn steer (which I think was painted white) with small round, inlaid red eyes and an inlaid large red "ball" held by its horns. The steer is centered over a horizontal bar with the head of a bird of prey on the left side, and an owl (?) on the right side. Black paint/enamel background. The top of the ornament is a pyramid shape that also appears to have contained an inlaid circle piece on the front and the back. It's a really neat item, but we have no idea what it is or where it came from! Measures 3 10/16" wide by 4" high (including bolt).
That is Egyptian, see the pyramid on top?
The bull is Egyptian god Apis. (AKA the infamous Golden Calf that angered God @Mt. Sinai) A very important God in egyptian mythology.
http://www.ancientegyptonline.co.uk/bullcult.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apis_(deity)
The Vulture is on the left.
Vulture (neret)
Appearance: At least five different species of vulture lived in ancient Egypt. The particular species shown in the hieroglyph was the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus).
Meaning: The vulture was typically associated with the goddess Nekhebet who was the patroness of the city of El-Kab in Upper Egypt. When El-Kab became important early in ancient Egyptian history, the vulture soon became a heraldic creature for all of Upper Egypt. As such, the vulture was often shown with the cobra (the herald of Lower Egypt) wearing the white crown of Upper Egypt. She also appeared in the nebty or "Two Ladies" name of the pharaoh.
The vulture was also a symbol of the goddess Mut, as well as Isis and Hathor. The bird also served as a symbol of the feminine, often in opposition to the scarab who signified the male principle.
And the Lotus on the right.
The Lotus is also referred to as the water lily. The ancient Egyptian Lotus flower symbol was called 'Sesen' in the Egyptian language.
The Lotus Symbol, or motif, is found in honored places throughout Egypt. On the architecture, especially on the capitals (tops) of Egyptian pillars, in the tomb Hieroglyphics, papyrus, on thrones, headdresses of the divine pharaohs
Significance: The Lotus flower is connected with the creation myth as the lotus came from of original silt (mud deposit) before time. The creator was born from the cup-shaped chalice of the lotus flower. The Lotus Symbol symbolized the sun, of creation, rebirth, regeneration & represented Upper Egypt
I am assuming that is the Vulture. But it may not be - Nekhbet and the Lotus both represent the Upper Kingdom. The flower may be the Papyrus flower, thus representing the lower kingdom.
I would go with Papyrus flower - since it represents the lower kingdom
"As early as the beginning of the Old Kingdom, papyrus served as a symbol of Lower Egypt. The plant was often shown with the heraldic plant of Upper Egypt, lotus as a representation of the Two Lands, the united Egypt.
In art, the papyrus clump represented the marshlands. Naturalistic scenes of families wild-fowling often contained images of papyrus purely as its detailed and repeated hieroglyph.
Finally, papyrus represented the concept of "around" or "behind". The hieroglyph was frequently paired with the sa sign of protection as a depiction of the phrase "All life and protection are around".
OR! The cow could be the Divine Feminine Hathor...
http://www.ancient.eu/Hathor/
I need help! Post in the Egyptian category, too.
Hathor's name is represented by Horus the Falcon, inside a box that signifies home. But that does not look like a falcon to me. And is that a staff connecting the Lotus ( or Papyrus flower?) and the bird?
ANYWAY - it's very cool, and I hope some Egyptologist can help us!
THIS is a good page.
There IS A Papyrus Scepter.
Papyrus scepter
Long, thin shaft surmounted by a triangular umbel
See here:
http://buffaloah.com/a/archsty/egypt/illus/illus.html#Hathor
OK - I was about to give up -here is Hathor, with a Papyrus scepter and the vulture on her headpiece at the Temple of Kom Ombo!
The Vulture was also a symbol of the goddess Mut, as well as Isis and Hathor.
http://buffaloah.com/a/virtual/egypt/kom/hypo/source/8.html
So your item represents Hathor and all her symbols. Whether or not it is a hood ornament - I don't know. I wish PhilDMorris would chime in!
What is the size?
I do not think it is a hood ornament, would likely be documented at least somewhere, instead it might be a finial for a lamp or candle holder. I do love it however, whatever it came from. Also may have been a decoration in an odd fellows room, they liked Egyptian themes.
I was thinking a fraternal order, too. I can't tell if there is an eye in the pyramid. There is a circle, can't tell what it is. May be the Rosicrucians. They have their EXCELLENT Egyptian Museum here in San Jose, CA.
https://www.rosicrucian.org/
I hate when you never hear back from the OP after one has done all this research.
My apologies for not replying back sooner! Life gets in the way of manners...Celiene, I sincerely appreciate the time you took to respond -- it is indeed very helpful! I had spent many hours myself looking at old auto trademarks and the like and came up with nothing, which is how I wound up on this amazing site. Your time and efforts are MUCH appreciated!
Now the only mystery is what, exactly, it is! Clearly it was exposed on one side more than the other. And did both sides have little micro mosaic in the face?
It may not have been MADE as a hood ornament, but someone very well could have used it as one.
That reminds me of something funny - I once had a beautiful Bronze Greyhound dog on a screw assembly. I sold it as a hood ornament - then someone told me it was a finial for a Trophy! The person who bought it never sent it back or anything... Oopsies! Innocent mistake!