<em>Relief of a Queen or Goddess</em>, ca. 664–610 B.C.E. Limestone, 3 3/8 x 3 7/16 x 11/16 in. (8.5 x 8.8 x 1.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 53.80. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.53.80_wwg8.jpg)

Relief of a Queen or Goddess, ca. 664–610 B.C.E. Limestone, 3 3/8 x 3 7/16 x 11/16 in. (8.5 x 8.8 x 1.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 53.80. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.53.80_wwg8.jpg)

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Relief of a Queen or Goddess

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor

Objects like this have long been regarded as trial pieces used by artists to sketch or carve drafts for larger works, a practice known from as early as the Old Kingdom. It has recently been argued, however, that the artists of Dynasty XXVI made objects similar in appearance whose purpose was that of votives offered at the cult places of the dynasty's kings. Perhaps some such objects served both purposes. The vulture headdress shown here is characteristic of queens, certain goddesses, and holders of the office of God's Wife of Amun, the celibate priestesses attached to the cult of Amun at Karnak.

MEDIUM Limestone

Possible Place Made: Saqqara, Egypt

DATES ca. 664–610 B.C.E.

DYNASTY Dynasty 26

PERIOD Late Period

DIMENSIONS 3 3/8 x 3 7/16 x 11/16 in. (8.5 x 8.8 x 1.7 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 53.80

CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Fragment of a limestone "sculptor's model" in form of rectangle with a relief on the two larger faces. Obverse, standing figure of Psamtik I (incomplete) with staff and, at right, his nomen in raised relief. Reverse, standing goddess wearing vulture headdress. Condition: Poor. Major portion of figure of king missing. Large break on figure of goddess. Numerous minor chips.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view on the 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor

CAPTION Relief of a Queen or Goddess, ca. 664–610 B.C.E. Limestone, 3 3/8 x 3 7/16 x 11/16 in. (8.5 x 8.8 x 1.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 53.80. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.53.80_wwg8.jpg)

IMAGE installation, West Wing gallery 8 installation, CUR.53.80_wwg8.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2006

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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