Collection
/
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Ritual Object

ca. 664–30 B.C.E.

Brooklyn Museum photograph

Object Label

This object is seen in temple reliefs in which the king offers it to goddesses like Hathor, Sakhmet, Mut, or Bastet who are called the Eye of Re. As the Eye of Re, each of these deities symbolized a number of ideas, including the destructive power of the sun god. In return for this offering, the king was assured of protection and the power needed to maintain cosmic order, or Ma'at. He also received the gift of a uraeus for his crown, a symbol of the same forces embodied in the Eye of Re. The cycle of giving, receiving, and giving in return ritually affirmed that the king's possession of royal power was confirmed and renewed.

Caption

Ritual Object, ca. 664–30 B.C.E.. Faience, 4 1/16 x 2 1/4 x 1 11/16 in. (10.3 x 5.7 x 4.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 36.838. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Title

Ritual Object

Date

ca. 664–30 B.C.E.

Dynasty

Dynasty 26, or later

Period

Late Period to Ptolemaic Period

Geography

Place made: Egypt

Medium

Faience

Classification

Sculpture

Dimensions

4 1/16 x 2 1/4 x 1 11/16 in. (10.3 x 5.7 x 4.3 cm)

Credit Line

Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

Accession Number

36.838

Frequent Art Questions

  • Is this supposed to be an animal?

    Yes! It's a baboon! This is a great example of symbolic animal sculpture from ancient Egypt! Baboons could represent the god Thoth, who was associated with the moon and writing.
    It is made of faience, which is an artificial, man-made material that can be used to create brilliantly blue and blue-green objects.

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