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Censer

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: Old Kingdom to 18th Dynasty, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor
An arm-shaped censer like this one can be understood as a hieroglyphic representation of one of the most potent rituals, the rite of the presentation of the Eye of Horus. The incense bowl and the falcon terminal represent the Eye, while the arm is the hieroglyph for “presenting” or “giving.” The Eye of Horus was believed to possess the power to heal or protect whoever received it.
MEDIUM Bronze
  • Place Made: Egypt
  • DATES ca. 712–404 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY late Dynasty 25 to Dynasty 28
    PERIOD Third Intermediate Period to Late Period
    DIMENSIONS 2 1/2 × 2 1/2 × 21 1/2 in., 2 lb. (6.4 × 6.4 × 54.6 cm, 0.91kg)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 72.8
    CREDIT LINE Gift of Michael DeBry
    PROVENANCE Archaeological provenance not yet documented; March 25, 1926, sold at Hôtel Drouot, Paris, France; by 1972, acquired by Michael DeBry of Paris, France; 1972, gift of Michael DeBry to the Brooklyn Museum.
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    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION One bronze censer in two parts, in the form of an out stretched left hand, palm up, emanating from a papyrus umbel at the end of a long handle which is surrounded by a cartouche-shaped incense cup; the haft being made separately and ending in a stylized falcon's head; on the long side of the stem is a Demotic inscription. Condition: Excellent although there are traces of corrosion in places, and the incense cup is bent from its original shape with part of its wall missing. Haft and stem are now held together by a (modern) piece of wood which is embedded in the haft.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Old Kingdom to 18th Dynasty, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor
    CAPTION Censer, ca. 712–404 B.C.E. Bronze, 2 1/2 × 2 1/2 × 21 1/2 in., 2 lb. (6.4 × 6.4 × 54.6 cm, 0.91kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Michael DeBry, 72.8. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 72.8_PS9.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 72.8_PS9.jpg., 2018
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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