Coptic. <em>Part of an Arch with the Nile God and Earth Goddess</em>, 5th-6th century C.E. Limestone, pigment, 18 1/8 x 26 3/16 x 9 5/8 in. (46 x 66.5 x 24.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 41.891. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 41.891_PS2.jpg)

Coptic. Part of an Arch with the Nile God and Earth Goddess, 5th-6th century C.E. Limestone, pigment, 18 1/8 x 26 3/16 x 9 5/8 in. (46 x 66.5 x 24.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 41.891. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 41.891_PS2.jpg)

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Part of an Arch with the Nile God and Earth Goddess

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

In pagan Egyptian tombs, the deceased was often identified with suitable figures in Greco-Roman mythology. This was particularly apparent in the relief decoration of arches designed to curve out and over the heads of visitors to the public part of the tomb. Like the fragmentary examples here, they might show the god of the Nile to recall an authoritative family man, or a nymph to symbolize a young woman. Some wall reliefs, such as the example here showing Hercules as a mature hero, probably served the same commemorative purpose.

CULTURE Coptic

MEDIUM Limestone, pigment

Reportedly From: Herakleopolis Magna, Egypt

DATES 5th-6th century C.E.

PERIOD Late Antique Period

DIMENSIONS 18 1/8 x 26 3/16 x 9 5/8 in. (46 x 66.5 x 24.5 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 41.891

CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Coptic. Part of an Arch with the Nile God and Earth Goddess, 5th-6th century C.E. Limestone, pigment, 18 1/8 x 26 3/16 x 9 5/8 in. (46 x 66.5 x 24.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 41.891. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 41.891_PS2.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 41.891_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2008

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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