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Sistrum

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

MEDIUM Bronze
  • Place Made: Egypt
  • DATES 305–30 B.C.E.
    PERIOD Ptolemaic Period
    DIMENSIONS 5 3/4 x 1 x 1 3/8 in. (14.6 x 2.6 x 3.5 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 37.573E
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Small bronze sistrum. The base of the handle is in the form of two recumbent cats from between which rises a column with palm capital. Atop the capital is a Hathor-headed aegis flanked by two uraei. From this aegis rises the loop and, in the center, a small figure of a cat. On top of the loop is a damaged element which might be the figure(s) of one of two cats. Condition: Dark patina; some pitting. approximately 1/3 of the loop is missing.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Sistrum, 305–30 B.C.E. Bronze, 5 3/4 x 1 x 1 3/8 in. (14.6 x 2.6 x 3.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.573E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.37.573E_NegID_37.573E_GRPA_print_cropped_bw.jpg)
    IMAGE detail, CUR.37.573E_NegID_37.573E_GRPA_print_cropped_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2014
    "CUR" at the beginning of an image file name means that the image was created by a curatorial staff member. These study images may be digital point-and-shoot photographs, when we don\'t yet have high-quality studio photography, or they may be scans of older negatives, slides, or photographic prints, providing historical documentation of the object.
    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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