Fragment of a Left Hand

285–246 B.C.

1 of 11

Object Label

The original appearance of a complete sculpture can often be recognized from even a small fragment. Statues offering a naos, or shrine with a divine image, which this hand originally held, became popular in the later periods of Egyptian history. They depict the owner in perpetual offering and thus in the eternal presence of a divinity. The inscription on this and another fragment now in Liverpool identifies the deity as Osiris and the owner as Senu, a prince, noble, governor, overseer of the royal harem, and prophet of Osiris, Horus, and Isis, lords of the Temple of Provisions.

Caption

Fragment of a Left Hand, 285–246 B.C.. Basalt, 4 7/16 x 4 7/16 in. (11.2 x 11.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Evangeline Wilbour Blashfield, Theodora Wilbour, and Victor Wilbour honoring the wishes of their mother, Charlotte Beebe Wilbour, as a memorial to their father, Charles Edwin Wilbour, 16.620. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Title

Fragment of a Left Hand

Date

285–246 B.C.

Period

Ptolemaic Period

Geography

Reportedly from: Koptos (Qift), Egypt

Medium

Basalt

Classification

Sculpture

Dimensions

4 7/16 x 4 7/16 in. (11.2 x 11.2 cm)

Inscriptions

Yes

Credit Line

Gift of Evangeline Wilbour Blashfield, Theodora Wilbour, and Victor Wilbour honoring the wishes of their mother, Charlotte Beebe Wilbour, as a memorial to their father, Charles Edwin Wilbour

Accession Number

16.620

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