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A God's Wife of Amun

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

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

This figure's heavy wig bears traces of the vulture headdress with cobra worn by royal women, goddesses, and God's Wives of Amun. Because very few bronzes of God's Wives of Amun are known, identification is difficult. Scholars have attributed the statue to priestesses ranging in date from Shepenwepet I of the Libyan-Egyptian Dynasty XXIII to Shepenwepet II of the Nubian Dynasty XXV. The Dynasty XXIII dating is unlikely.

MEDIUM Bronze
  • Place Made: Egypt
  • DATES ca. 760-656 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 23 to Dynasty 25
    PERIOD Third Intermediate Period
    DIMENSIONS 7 5/8 x 2 1/8 x 1 3/8 in. (19.4 x 5.4 x 3.5 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 1999.110
    CREDIT LINE Gifts in memory of Christos G. Bastis and Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION The female figure wears a vulture headdress over a striated wig; broad collar; and a sheath reaching to the ankles. Condition: Right arm broken off just above elbow; greenish brown patina; several hair line fractures in the surface.
    CAPTION A God's Wife of Amun, ca. 760-656 B.C.E. Bronze, 7 5/8 x 2 1/8 x 1 3/8 in. (19.4 x 5.4 x 3.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gifts in memory of Christos G. Bastis and Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 1999.110. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.1999.110_wwg8.jpg)
    IMAGE installation, West Wing gallery 8 installation, CUR.1999.110_wwg8.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2006
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