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Circlet

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Egyptologists disagree on the original function of this circlet. It may have been a diadem (a type of crown) or a decoration for the rim of a ritual vessel. The papyrus plants and sun-disks refer to the creation myth that recounts the sun’s emergence from the primordial waters of Nun, suggesting a religious context.
MEDIUM Gold
  • Reportedly From: Saqqara, Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1295–1070 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 19 to Dynasty 20
    PERIOD New Kingdom
    DIMENSIONS 1 1/8 × 1/16 × 6 9/16 in., 1.1 lb. (2.8 × 0.2 × 16.6 cm, 0.5kg)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 37.702E
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    PROVENANCE Archaeological provenance not yet documented, reportedly from Saqqara, Egypt; by 1852, collected in Egypt by Henry Abbott; 1859, purchased from Henry Abbott by the New-York Historical Society, New York, NY; September 1948, purchased from the New-York Historical Society by the Brooklyn Museum.
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    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION A gold diadem(?). Upper edge adorned with papyrus plants and sun discs. An applied gold braid and wires form a patterned band 1.1 cm. from the top. Condition: The solder join in the rear slightly sprung. Some dents along the back and the gold wire bent and fractured in one spot.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Circlet, ca. 1295–1070 B.C.E. Gold, 1 1/8 × 1/16 × 6 9/16 in., 1.1 lb. (2.8 × 0.2 × 16.6 cm, 0.5kg). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.702E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.37.702E_wwgA-1.jpg)
    IMAGE installation, West Wing gallery A-1 installation, CUR.37.702E_wwgA-1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2005
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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