Upper Part of Sistrum
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
A sistrum is a musical instrument similar to a rattle. Sistra were played by priests and priestesses during funerals and other religious rituals. However, this example, made from faience, would not have been played in this world. Rather, it was placed in the tomb for use in the afterlife.
MEDIUM
Faience
DATES
664–525 B.C.E. or later
DYNASTY
Dynasty 26, or later
PERIOD
Late Period
DIMENSIONS
8 1/16 x 1 15/16 x 1 1/4 in. (20.5 x 4.9 x 3.2 cm)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
37.321E
CREDIT LINE
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Green-glazed faience sistrum. The column-shaped handle terminates in a double Hathor head (human with cow's ears and wearing a plain lappet wig) supporting a shrine-shaped rattle. The rattle is pierced by three pairs of holes, but the vibrating elements are missing.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Upper Part of Sistrum, 664–525 B.C.E. or later. Faience, 8 1/16 x 1 15/16 x 1 1/4 in. (20.5 x 4.9 x 3.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.321E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.321E_PS2.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 37.321E_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2007
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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