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Mold for Amulet of Seated Goddess Holding Papyrus Scepter

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
Molds

Ancient craftsmen used fired clay (terracotta) molds to manufacture small faience objects.

After fashioning a stone model of the object to be molded, a craftsman pressed it into damp clay to create an impression. The clay mold was then dried and fired.Damp faience paste was pushed into the moistened mold, and the resulting form, such as a bead or amulet, was removed immediately so it would not stick. The faience was then hardened by baking.
MEDIUM Terracotta
  • Place Made: Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1539–1075 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 18 to Dynasty 19
    PERIOD New Kingdom
    DIMENSIONS 1 7/16 x 5/8 x 1 7/8 in. (3.6 x 1.6 x 4.7 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 16.748.8
    CREDIT LINE Gift of Evangeline Wilbour Blashfield, Theodora Wilbour, and Victor Wilbour honoring the wishes of their mother, Charlotte Beebe Wilbour, as a memorial to their father, Charles Edwin Wilbour
    PROVENANCE Archaeological provenance not yet documented; before 1896, acquired by Charles Edwin Wilbour; 1896, inherited from Charles Edwin Wilbour by Charlotte Beebe Wilbour; 1914, inherited from Charlotte Beebe Wilbour by Evangeline Wilbour Blashfield, Theodora Wilbour, and Victor Wilbour; 1916, gift of Evangeline Wilbour Blashfield, Theodora Wilbour, and Victor Wilbour to the Brooklyn Museum.
    Provenance FAQ
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
    CAPTION Mold for Amulet of Seated Goddess Holding Papyrus Scepter, ca. 1539–1075 B.C.E. Terracotta, 1 7/16 x 5/8 x 1 7/8 in. (3.6 x 1.6 x 4.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Evangeline Wilbour Blashfield, Theodora Wilbour, and Victor Wilbour honoring the wishes of their mother, Charlotte Beebe Wilbour, as a memorial to their father, Charles Edwin Wilbour, 16.748.8. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.16.748.8_NegL1012_30_print_bw.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, CUR.16.748.8_NegL1012_30_print_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2013
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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