Collections: Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern Art: Statuette of Hathor

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Statuette of Hathor

Individual Egyptian deities could be shown in different guises that communicated various aspects of their complex natures. For example, the goddess Hathor could be depicted as a cow, in human form, in composite cow-human form, and by various symbols. Cow-headed figures of Hathor such as this were particularly popular in the region of the northern Egyptian capital of Memphis.

• Medium: Bronze, solid-cast, with eyes inlaid with gold and electrum
• Place Made: Memphis, Egypt
• Dates: ca. 664-30 B.C.E. or later
• Period: Late Period-Ptolemaic Period
• Dimensions: 7 1/2 x 1 7/16 x 2 7/8 in. (19 x 3.7 x 7.3 cm)
• Collections: Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern Art
• Museum Location: This item is on view in Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity, 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor
• Accession Number: 37.356E
• Credit Line: Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
• Image: 3/4 front right, 37.356E_threequarter_right_PS1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2006
Statuette of Hathor, ca. 664-30 B.C.E. or later. Bronze, solid-cast, with eyes inlaid with gold and electrum, 7 1/2 x 1 7/16 x 2 7/8 in. (19 x 3.7 x 7.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.356E (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.356E_threequarter_right_PS1.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: Striding bronze figure of a cow-headed goddess, probably Hathor. The figure strides upon an inscribed rectangular base. She wears a lappet wig crowned with horns, sun-disk, uraeus on sun disk, and tall feathers (only partly preserved) behind disk. Condition: Upper part of feathers and tip of horns missing. Solid cast. Copper brown patina over whole piece. Base chipped and dented.