Geographical Personifications
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
On View: 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor
MEDIUM
Limestone, pigment, paste
DATES
ca. 1295–1070 B.C.E.
DYNASTY
Dynasty 19 or Dynasty 20
PERIOD
New Kingdom
DIMENSIONS
21 5/8 x 24 x 2 3/4 in. (55 x 61 x 7 cm)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
87.79
CREDIT LINE
Purchased with funds given by Mrs. Carl L. Selden in memory of Milton Lowenthal
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Sunk relief in limestone consisting of two "fecundity figurines" facing left. The rightmost figure is preserved from the hips upwards; the figure on the left is missing below the shoulders. Both hold trays supporting was-sign, hes-vases and lost blossoms (only partially preserved) and from which descend lines (which probably terminated in ankh signs). The first figure is labeled sn-wr and the second is km-wr. These refer to bodies of water, whether "ocean”/ “bitter lakes" or “back swamps" (km-wr) or mythical bodies.
A pt (“heaven”) is partially preserved at the top. An inscription was once above. Traces of a seated god, the shen sign, and the djet (“eternity”) sign appear. These are framed on the left by a column of three signs (ankh, djed, was).
Hieroglyphs and offerings retain some of their original paste inlay, now white. Pieced together from five large fragments and some smaller chips. The figures preserve small traces of blue (beards and wigs) and re (skin) pigments. The second figure is missing his nose, mouth, and chin. Numerous small chips and scratches. Surface of white limestone now a dirty grey with darker discoloration.
CAPTION
Geographical Personifications, ca. 1295–1070 B.C.E. Limestone, pigment, paste, 21 5/8 x 24 x 2 3/4 in. (55 x 61 x 7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased with funds given by Mrs. Carl L. Selden in memory of Milton Lowenthal, 87.79. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.87.79_wwg8.jpg)
IMAGE
installation, West Wing gallery 8 installation,
CUR.87.79_wwg8.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2009
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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