Collection
/
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Upper Part of Sistrum (Rattle)

664–525 B.C.E.

Brooklyn Museum photograph

Object Label

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 the sounds of the sistrum could pacify enraged gods and goddesses. As a symbol of Hathor appeased, the sistrum came to be used in rituals and ceremonies for Hathor, Bastet, and other deities.

Caption

Upper Part of Sistrum (Rattle), 664–525 B.C.E.. Faience, 4 1/2 x 1 7/16 x 5/8 in. (11.4 x 3.6 x 1.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 05.359. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Title

Upper Part of Sistrum (Rattle)

Date

664–525 B.C.E.

Dynasty

Dynasty 26

Period

Late Period

Medium

Faience

Classification

Musical Instrument

Dimensions

4 1/2 x 1 7/16 x 5/8 in. (11.4 x 3.6 x 1.6 cm)

Credit Line

Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

Accession Number

05.359

Frequent Art Questions

  • 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.

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