Hathor with Horus as Falcon
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
On View: Old Kingdom to 18th Dynasty, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor
The complex nature of Egyptian deities is often indicated by their attributes. Osiris’s tightly wrapped mummy shroud and his crook and flail (symbolizing kingship) point to the legend of Osiris’s murder, mummification, and subsequent resurrection as the ruler of the underworld. The cobra held by his wife, Isis, represents the magic that revived her husband and guarded their son, Horus. As the rightful heir to Osiris’s throne and the embodiment of kingship, the falcon-god Horus wears the Double Crown.
Animals can also reveal divine qualities. The cow or cow-human forms of Hathor refer to her role as provider of milk to Horus and to young kings of Egypt. Bastet, another benevolent female deity, appears as a cat or cat-headed woman, carrying a basket and sistrum.
Certain deities, including Neith, Ptah, Nefertem, and Imhotep, were portrayed in human form. The ancient protectress Neith, associated with war and hunting, wears the flat-topped Red Crown of Lower Egypt. The Memphite creator-god Ptah holds a staff with hieroglyphs for life and permanence. Ptah’s son, Nefertem, a lotus on his head (symbolizing rebirth), defends Maat with his scimitar. Imhotep, the deified architect of Djoser’s pyramid, shares Ptah’s close-fitting cap, and the papyrus on his lap emphasizes wisdom and creativity.
MEDIUM
Steatite
DATES
ca. 100 B.C.E.–100 C.E.
PERIOD
Ptolemaic Period to Roman Period
ACCESSION NUMBER
53.78
CREDIT LINE
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
CAPTION
Hathor with Horus as Falcon, ca. 100 B.C.E.–100 C.E. Steatite, Height: 3 13/16 in. (9.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 53.78. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.53.78_wwgA-2.jpg)
IMAGE
installation, West Wing gallery A-2 installation,
CUR.53.78_wwgA-2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2005
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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What aspect of the piece that identifies this as Hathor?
In a few versions of ancient Egyptian religion, Hathor is closely associated with the gods Horus and Re, both of whom are represented by falcons like the one that appears on the top of this head.
Thank you.