The God Nefertem, ca. 664–525 B.C.E. or later. Bronze, silver, 14 1/4 x 3 1/16 x 4 1/2 in. (36.2 x 7.8 x 11.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 05.393. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.05.393_wwg8.jpg)
The God Nefertem, ca. 664–525 B.C.E. or later. Bronze, silver, 14 1/4 x 3 1/16 x 4 1/2 in. (36.2 x 7.8 x 11.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 05.393. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.05.393_temples.jpg)
The God Nefertem
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
On View: Old Kingdom to 18th Dynasty, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor
The complex nature of Egyptian deities is often indicated by their attributes. Osiris’s tightly wrapped mummy shroud and his crook and flail (symbolizing kingship) point to the legend of Osiris’s murder, mummification, and subsequent resurrection as the ruler of the underworld. The cobra held by his wife, Isis, represents the magic that revived her husband and guarded their son, Horus. As the rightful heir to Osiris’s throne and the embodiment of kingship, the falcon-god Horus wears the Double Crown.
Animals can also reveal divine qualities. The cow or cow-human forms of Hathor refer to her role as provider of milk to Horus and to young kings of Egypt. Bastet, another benevolent female deity, appears as a cat or cat-headed woman, carrying a basket and sistrum.
Certain deities, including Neith, Ptah, Nefertem, and Imhotep, were portrayed in human form. The ancient protectress Neith, associated with war and hunting, wears the flat-topped Red Crown of Lower Egypt. The Memphite creator-god Ptah holds a staff with hieroglyphs for life and permanence. Ptah’s son, Nefertem, a lotus on his head (symbolizing rebirth), defends Maat with his scimitar. Imhotep, the deified architect of Djoser’s pyramid, shares Ptah’s close-fitting cap, and the papyrus on his lap emphasizes wisdom and creativity.
Animals can also reveal divine qualities. The cow or cow-human forms of Hathor refer to her role as provider of milk to Horus and to young kings of Egypt. Bastet, another benevolent female deity, appears as a cat or cat-headed woman, carrying a basket and sistrum.
Certain deities, including Neith, Ptah, Nefertem, and Imhotep, were portrayed in human form. The ancient protectress Neith, associated with war and hunting, wears the flat-topped Red Crown of Lower Egypt. The Memphite creator-god Ptah holds a staff with hieroglyphs for life and permanence. Ptah’s son, Nefertem, a lotus on his head (symbolizing rebirth), defends Maat with his scimitar. Imhotep, the deified architect of Djoser’s pyramid, shares Ptah’s close-fitting cap, and the papyrus on his lap emphasizes wisdom and creativity.
MEDIUM
Bronze, silver
DATES
ca. 664–525 B.C.E. or later
DYNASTY
Dynasty 26
PERIOD
Late Period
DIMENSIONS
14 1/4 x 3 1/16 x 4 1/2 in. (36.2 x 7.8 x 11.5 cm)
mount (display dimensions): 17 3/4 x 3 x 6 in. (45.1 x 7.6 x 15.2 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
05.393
CREDIT LINE
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
PROVENANCE
Archaeological provenance not yet documented; by April 1905, acquired by Claude Camille Rollin and Félix Bienaimé Feuardent of Paris, France; April 25, 1905, purchased from Claude Camille Rollin and Félix Bienaimé Feuardent by the Brooklyn Museum.
Provenance FAQ
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Bronze statue of Nefer-tum standing with sickle clasped in right hand and conventional headdress. Of excellent quality. Elaborate naturalistic veining lines intact. From inner center of the lotus rise two plumes (?) joined. From outer surface of lotus on each side over the ears hangs a menat also inlaid originally. Entire wig worked with very fine incised lines. Small uraeus. Braided beard. Eyes, eyebrows and beard strap formed from copper (?) overlays with eyes white inlaid with silver. Left arm hangs at side with small cylinder, originally inlaid (?), clasped in hand. Right arm held against breast and clasps in the hand an instrument, perhaps a sickle, the handle of which is in the form of a lotus. Pleated shenti kilt.
Left leg advanced. Dark green patina. Heavy suspension loop at back of head.
Inscription: Traces of the inscription on all four sides of the base but they are almost illegible. Shallow cutting.
Condition: General condition excellent. Left front corner of base missing. Inlays missing from headdress. Nose battered. Two patches on green on right side of face. Bronze in excellent condition.
Technique: Cast solid. Worked in great detail. Large lotus flower blossom on top of head, outer sides of which were inlaid with glass or paste (now missing).
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view in Old Kingdom to 18th Dynasty, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor
CAPTION
The God Nefertem, ca. 664–525 B.C.E. or later. Bronze, silver, 14 1/4 x 3 1/16 x 4 1/2 in. (36.2 x 7.8 x 11.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 05.393. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.05.393_wwg8.jpg)
IMAGE
installation, West Wing gallery 8 installation, CUR.05.393_wwg8.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2006
"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
You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply.
Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply).
For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch.
For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright.
If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.
RECORD COMPLETENESS
Not every record you will find here is complete. More information is available for some works than for others, and some entries have been updated more recently. Records are frequently reviewed and revised, and we welcome any additional information you might have.
