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Amulet in Form of Hathor Head Inscribed for Hatshepsut & Senenmut

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
Personal Arts

The reigns of Hatshepsut through Thutmose IV represent a transitional phase in Eighteenth Dynasty art.


At first, artists continued to favor simple, elegant forms common earlier in the dynasty, but eventually they developed elaborate, highly detailed designs that dominated the dynasty’s final decades. Under Amunhotep II and Thutmose IV, for example, craftsmen increased the use of a soft, pastel blue pigment that had been invented during the reign of Thutmose III. Potters also molded vessels in human and animal form, and artisans rediscovered the Middle Kingdom fascination for colorful stones such as red carnelian.

Art historians consider the scarabs (beetleshaped amulets) of this era among the finest ever made. Figure Vase of Woman Holding Dog
MEDIUM Carnelian
  • Place Made: Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1478–1458 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 18
    PERIOD New Kingdom
    DIMENSIONS 13/16 x 11/16 x 1/4 in. (2.1 x 1.7 x 0.7 cm)  (show scale)
    INSCRIPTIONS Four line inscription: "Beloved of Iwny.t [the goddess of Armant], the steward of Amun, Sen-mut". Single line inscription: The good god, Maat-ka-re".
    ACCESSION NUMBER 61.192
    CREDIT LINE Gift of John Hewett
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Carnelian amulet in the form of a Hathor head, pierced horizontally at top, back flat and inscribed in four lines “Beloved of Iwny.t (the goddess of Armant), the steward of Amun, Sen-mut”. On top edge single line “The good god, Maat-ka-re”. Very fine work. Condition: A few minute chips on edges of back. Otherwise intact.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
    CAPTION Amulet in Form of Hathor Head Inscribed for Hatshepsut & Senenmut, ca. 1478–1458 B.C.E. Carnelian, 13/16 x 11/16 x 1/4 in. (2.1 x 1.7 x 0.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of John Hewett, 61.192. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 61.192_SL1.jpg)
    IMAGE front, 61.192_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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