Lion-headed Goddess with Sun Disk
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Caption
Lion-headed Goddess with Sun Disk, 332–30 B.C.E.. Gold, 15/16 x 13/16 x 1/4 in. (2.4 x 2.1 x 0.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Evangeline Wilbour Blashfield, Theodora Wilbour, and Victor Wilbour honoring the wishes of their mother, Charlotte Beebe Wilbour, as a memorial to their father, Charles Edwin Wilbour, 16.322. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Gallery
Not on view
Title
Lion-headed Goddess with Sun Disk
Date
332–30 B.C.E.
Dynasty
Dynasty 26
Period
Ptolemaic Period
Geography
Reportedly from: Zagazig (Bubastis), Egypt
Medium
Gold
Classification
Dimensions
15/16 x 13/16 x 1/4 in. (2.4 x 2.1 x 0.7 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Evangeline Wilbour Blashfield, Theodora Wilbour, and Victor Wilbour honoring the wishes of their mother, Charlotte Beebe Wilbour, as a memorial to their father, Charles Edwin Wilbour
Accession Number
16.322
Frequent Art Questions
The label says that this is a "lion-headed goddess with Sun Disk." What exactly is a 'sun disk?'
Good question! A 'sun disk' is simply a circle that is understood to represent the sun and all that the sun itself is associated with. The sun was the most important symbol in Ancient Egyptian beliefs. It's associated with Re, the sun god, and with the daily renewal of life. The red or orange circular image above figures heads represents the sun. There were a multitude of gods associated with the sun and Re was one of the most powerful deities in the Egyptian pantheon.
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