<em>Sistrum (Rattle)</em>, 332–30 B.C.E. Bronze, 10 3/16 x 2 11/16 x 1 5/16 in. (25.9 x 6.9 x 3.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.583E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.583E_view01_PS11.jpg)

Sistrum (Rattle), 332–30 B.C.E. Bronze, 10 3/16 x 2 11/16 x 1 5/16 in. (25.9 x 6.9 x 3.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.583E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.583E_view01_PS11.jpg)

Sistrum (Rattle), 332–30 B.C.E. Bronze, 10 3/16 x 2 11/16 x 1 5/16 in. (25.9 x 6.9 x 3.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.583E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 37.583E_37.584E_37.586E_GrpA_SL4.jpg)

Sistrum (Rattle), 332–30 B.C.E. Bronze, 10 3/16 x 2 11/16 x 1 5/16 in. (25.9 x 6.9 x 3.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.583E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.37.586E_37.583E_37.584E_NegID_37.584E_GRPA_print_bw.jpg)

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How does the rattle work?

That's a great question! A sistrum was often used in religious processions. It is composed of a handle and the curved frame that you see there. What this piece that you're looking at is missing is either metal or clay elements that would have been on the cross-bar and would make noise when the instrument was shaken.

It was used by female temple singers. It was believed to drive away evil forces; the sistrum is also shaped like the "ankh" or the hieroglyph for "life" and came to represent life for the ancient Egyptians.

What art in ancient Egypt are pertained to music?

This first thing that comes to mind are depictions of musicians. Look for something called "Relief with Female Musicians" in the Later Egypt gallery.

There is another relief called "Musicians" in the Amarna Period gallery.

There are also fragmentary sistra (singular: sistrum) an ancient rattle-like instrument, in the Older Egypt gallery.

Tell me more.

This is a sistrum, an ancient rattle like instrument that was popular especially in ceremonies dedication to Hathor who is depicted on the handle,

Sistrum (Rattle)

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor

The human face with cow’s ears and horns on the sistrum’s handle represents the goddess Hathor, who personifies heaven and motherhood. The pairs of holes originally held rods with metal disks or squares that produced sound when shaken. Egyptian myths suggest that enraged gods and goddesses became pacified at hearing the sounds of the sistrum. As a symbol of Hathor appeased, the sistrum came to be used in rituals and ceremonies for Hathor, Bastet, and other deities.

MEDIUM Bronze

Place Made: Egypt

DATES 332–30 B.C.E.

PERIOD Ptolemaic Period

DIMENSIONS 10 3/16 x 2 11/16 x 1 5/16 in. (25.9 x 6.9 x 3.4 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 37.583E

CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Bronze sistrum. The terminal of the handle s in the form of a double Hathor head (human-face, cow's ears but no wig). The loop has three pairs of holes for insertion of the elements which actually rattle but only one of these elements is actually preserved (in the central pair of holes). Condition: Once broken in half at bottom of Hathor head but since rejoined. Holes and cracks in shaft; dark patina in spots. Surface on top of head corroded.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor

CAPTION Sistrum (Rattle), 332–30 B.C.E. Bronze, 10 3/16 x 2 11/16 x 1 5/16 in. (25.9 x 6.9 x 3.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.583E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.583E_view01_PS11.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 37.583E_view01_PS11.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2022

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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