<em>The Goddess Meret Shemau</em>, ca. 1514–1493 B.C.E. Limestone, 9 9/16 x 12 7/8 in. (24.3 x 32.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc., 86.226.15. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.226.15_negA_bw_IMLS.jpg)

The Goddess Meret Shemau, ca. 1514–1493 B.C.E. Limestone, 9 9/16 x 12 7/8 in. (24.3 x 32.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc., 86.226.15. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.226.15_negA_bw_IMLS.jpg)

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The Goddess Meret Shemau

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: Old Kingdom to 18th Dynasty, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor

Images of the goddess Meret Shemau (“Meret of the Southern Lands”) are recognizable from the curl at the end of her hairdo and her distinctive gesture of greeting or clapping. Depictions of divine rituals show Meret Shemau as a chantress. This scene, when complete, probably depicted her greeting the king as he ran a ceremonial race.

MEDIUM Limestone

Place Made: Thebes (Karnak), Egypt

DATES ca. 1514–1493 B.C.E.

DYNASTY Dynasty 18

PERIOD New Kingdom

DIMENSIONS 9 9/16 x 12 7/8 in. (24.3 x 32.7 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 86.226.15

CREDIT LINE Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc.

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Creamy white limestone fragment with bold relief representation of upper portion of a girl, facing right, with one arm stretched out (other arm not shown), inscription above (three hieroglyphs only). Condition: Fragmentary but sound. Formerly broken into at least five pieces and well mended; scratches.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Old Kingdom to 18th Dynasty, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor

CAPTION The Goddess Meret Shemau, ca. 1514–1493 B.C.E. Limestone, 9 9/16 x 12 7/8 in. (24.3 x 32.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc., 86.226.15. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.226.15_negA_bw_IMLS.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 86.226.15_negA_bw_IMLS.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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