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King with Sistra (Rattles) before Hathor

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Here, in a setting of the world bounded by hieroglyphs for earth and heaven, a king as dutiful son stands with sistra before one form of his mother, the goddess Hathor. As is characteristic of Egyptian goddesses, she holds a papyrus scepter, a symbol of vigor and renewal, and grants the king the “lifetime of Re” and “the years of Atum,” meaning eternal life.
MEDIUM Basalt
DATES 3rd century B.C.E.
PERIOD Ptolemaic Period
DIMENSIONS 7 3/4 × 8 11/16 × 3 1/8 in. (19.7 × 22 × 8 cm) mount: 8 1/2 × 9 1/2 × 3 1/2 in. (21.6 × 24.1 × 8.9 cm)  (show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER 62.46
CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION King with Sistra (Rattles) before Hathor, 3rd century B.C.E. Basalt, 7 3/4 × 8 11/16 × 3 1/8 in. (19.7 × 22 × 8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 62.46. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 62.46_SL1.jpg)
IMAGE overall, 62.46_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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