Lot 414
Fragment of a Hathor Sistrum in Unusually Colored Limestone. Egypt, 26th Dynasty, 664-525 BC. Carved from greenish limestone, resembling the Egyptian's beloved blue-green faience, this object is finely styled and crafted. The sistrum is comprised of janiform heads of the goddess Hathor, with a thick wig, her expression serene, and her attributes of cow ears. Her crown is an open door shrine (naos), with central uraeus (cobra) emerging. Below the goddess' neck is a columnar section, inscribed with hieroglyphs, which forms part of the handle to the sistrum. This is inletted on the bottom where it would have attached to the rest of the handle. Carefully reassembled from several large pieces, the object shows the hazards of the millennia, but does not obscure the quality of the art that was wrought. The limestone, almost a blue green within, has faded to a pale green and off white at its exterior surfaces. Height: 4-7/8". A quality Egyptian sculpture of some size. Rare!
Estimated Value $1,000 - 2,000.
Hathor was the goddess of music, joy, love and motherhood. However, her serene expression belied another, darker side: she punished rebellious humans, was vengeful, and almost destroyed the whole human race.
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| Realized $2,070 |
