Ram-Headed Lotus Column (Amun)
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
This image of a ram’s head represents a god, perhaps Amun, king of the gods. He wears two divine symbols: a uraeus-snake perched at his forehead and a sun disk (now damaged). When an animal wears divine symbols in Egyptian art, it indicates that it is associated with a god, emphasizing the special quality they share—in this case, the potency of the ram.
MEDIUM
Black granite, pigment
DATES
ca. 945–525 B.C.E.
DYNASTY
Dynasty 22 to Dynasty 26
PERIOD
Third Intermediate Period or Late Period
DIMENSIONS
10 1/2 x 7 1/4 x 10 in., 26 lb. (26.7 x 18.4 x 25.4 cm, 11.79kg)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
35.932
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Mrs. George D. Pratt
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Ram-headed lotus column in black granite, a fragment from a large composition, probably of a priest or king holding this piece which was the sacred emblem of the great god Amen. The preserved portion contains the complete head of a ram bearing the uraeus with the long horns curved down front towards the chin. Behind and beneath the horns is the conventional wig; the head rests on a conventionalized lotus flower. On the top of the head are the remains of a ridge which connected the emblem with the hand or staff of the person depicted. The workmanship is good; traces of red paint remain in several places.
Condition: Ends of horns broken off, the uraeus chipped and various minor chips on lotus column.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Ram-Headed Lotus Column (Amun), ca. 945–525 B.C.E. Black granite, pigment, 10 1/2 x 7 1/4 x 10 in., 26 lb. (26.7 x 18.4 x 25.4 cm, 11.79kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. George D. Pratt, 35.932. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 35.932_edited_SL3.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 35.932_edited_SL3.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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Creative Commons-BY
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