<em>Kaemwaset Kneeling with an Emblem of Hathor</em>, ca. 1400–1390 B.C.E. Granite, pigment, 26 1/8 x 10 1/4 x 17 13/16in. (66.3 x 26 x 45.3cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Christos G. Bastis, 74.97. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 74.97_threequarter_right_PS1.jpg)

Kaemwaset Kneeling with an Emblem of Hathor, ca. 1400–1390 B.C.E. Granite, pigment, 26 1/8 x 10 1/4 x 17 13/16in. (66.3 x 26 x 45.3cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Christos G. Bastis, 74.97. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 74.97_threequarter_right_PS1.jpg)

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Where would this be used?

This statue, depicting a man named Kaemwaset, would have been dedicated in a temple and thus allowed Kaemwaset to participate in temple activities for eternity.

The stack of symbols he his holding are meant to represent the handle of a rattle-like instrument called a sistrum. These were often played in temple ceremonies.

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A statue like this would have been dedicated in a temple allowing the man depicted, in this case Kaemwaset, to eternally participate in the ritual. The stacked symbols that he is presenting resemble the handle of a sistrum, a musical instrument.

Check out the nearby statue of a man named Senenmut for what this statue's head might have looked like. They were made around the same time.

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Kaemwaset Kneeling with an Emblem of Hathor

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: Old Kingdom to 18th Dynasty, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor

Kaemwaset was connected with the temple of Amun-Re at Karnak in Thebes (modern-day Luxor). The inscription on this statue invokes that god, as well as the goddesses Mut and Nebethetepet. It would have enabled the deceased Kaemwaset to share in the daily temple offerings to the gods and to participate in the daily rites of resurrection.

The royal name carved on Kaemwaset’s upper right arm dates his statue to the reign of Thutmose IV. The rolls of flesh on his torso are an artistic convention indicating his prosperity. The object he holds represents the head of the goddess Hathor resting on a protective Isis-knot. On her head is a miniature temple gateway, flanked by two spiral or scroll shapes (called volutes). These forms suggest the sistrum, a musical rattle whose sound was beloved by Hathor and other goddesses. The cobra shown in the doorway and two others on the sides also evoke goddesses and their protection.

MEDIUM Granite, pigment

Possible Place Collected: Thebes (Karnak), Egypt

DATES ca. 1400–1390 B.C.E.

DYNASTY Dynasty 18

PERIOD New Kingdom

DIMENSIONS 26 1/8 x 10 1/4 x 17 13/16in. (66.3 x 26 x 45.3cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 74.97

CREDIT LINE Gift of Christos G. Bastis

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Black granite statue inscribed for Kaiemwaset. The nobleman is represented as kneeling and proffering a large Hathor-sistrum. Kaiemwaset is dressed in a long skirt. The figure is inscribed on the right shoulder, the back pillar, the front, sides and upper front surface of the base, and on the sides of the mass of stone which connects the sistrum and chest. There is some red pigment preserved in the hieroglyphs on the front of the base. The figure bears the cartouche of Tuthmosis IV. Condition: The head, except for the parts of the wig, neck and beard, is missing. Large chips in the front, right side and rear of base. The left arm, left foot and left side of the base are mostly chipped away: the back pillar is only partially preserved. There are smaller chips in many places, and there is dried mud on much of the surface.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Old Kingdom to 18th Dynasty, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor

CAPTION Kaemwaset Kneeling with an Emblem of Hathor, ca. 1400–1390 B.C.E. Granite, pigment, 26 1/8 x 10 1/4 x 17 13/16in. (66.3 x 26 x 45.3cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Christos G. Bastis, 74.97. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 74.97_threequarter_right_PS1.jpg)

IMAGE 74.97_threequarter_right_PS1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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