The Aten and a Symbol of a Goddess or Queen
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Object Label
Egyptian religion during the Amarna Period is often characterized as monotheistic, but a detail on this block found at el Amarna casts some doubt on this interpretation. At the far right is a column capital of a traditional type found in temples and shrines of Hathor, one of Egypt's major goddesses. Was Hathor worshiped at el Amarna, or could the building where this column stood have been dedicated instead to Queen Nefertiti?
Caption
The Aten and a Symbol of a Goddess or Queen, ca. 1352–1336 B.C.E.. Limestone, pigment, 9 × 13 1/2 × 5 1/2 in., 36.5 lb. (22.9 × 34.3 × 14 cm, 16.56kg) mount (dimensions as installed): 10 3/4 × 16 × 7 3/4 in. (27.3 × 40.6 × 19.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Society, 36.886.
Gallery
Not on view
Gallery
Not on view
Title
The Aten and a Symbol of a Goddess or Queen
Date
ca. 1352–1336 B.C.E.
Dynasty
late Dynasty 18
Period
New Kingdom, Amarna Period
Geography
Place excavated: Tell el-Amarna, Egypt
Medium
Limestone, pigment
Classification
Dimensions
9 × 13 1/2 × 5 1/2 in., 36.5 lb. (22.9 × 34.3 × 14 cm, 16.56kg) mount (dimensions as installed): 10 3/4 × 16 × 7 3/4 in. (27.3 × 40.6 × 19.7 cm)
Inscriptions
yes
Credit Line
Gift of the Egypt Exploration Society
Accession Number
36.886
Frequent Art Questions
What do these hieroglyphs say?
The ovals you see are called cartouches and they contain royal names.
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