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Lot 134*

A large Egyptian limestone Hathor head sistrum handle fragment

Amended
6 July 2021, 15:00 BST
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £2,805 inc. premium

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A large Egyptian limestone Hathor head sistrum handle fragment
Late Period, 26th Dynasty, circa 664-525 B.C.
The janiform cow-eared goddess depicted with extended cosmetic eye lines and brows, wearing a full wig with incised details and an elaborate broad collar, surmounted by a cavetto moulding supporting the lower section of a now-missing naos, a uraeus facing outwards on each side of the wig, 11.5cm high

Footnotes

Provenance:
with Galerie Athena, Brussels.
Private collection, Geneva, acquired from the above 11 September 1978.
Private collection, Europe, acquired from the above in 2006.

Cf. a closely related example in the Princeton University Art Museum, acc. no. y1986-5, and an example in faience at the Seattle Art Museum, acc. no. 58.77. The sistrum was a musical instrument primarily used by women during religious ceremonies, whose sound was believed to please the gods. Sistra were commonly made of bronze, with examples in other materials believed to have been votive offerings dedicated in temples and tombs.

Saleroom notices

Please note this piece is faience, and not limestone, as stated in the catalogue.

Additional information

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