THIRD INTERMEDIATE PERIOD, DYNASTY XXII, CIRCA 945-715 B.C.

Details

AN EGYPTIAN SILVER SISTRUM
THIRD INTERMEDIATE PERIOD, DYNASTY XXII, CIRCA 945-715 B.C.
In the form of the janiform head of the goddess Hathor, wearing wig and broad collar, her face with finely contoured eyebrows and cosmetic lines, with cow ears, each side of the wig incised with a uraeus, one wearing crown of Upper Egypt, the other wearing crown of Lower Egypt, the arched loop above strung with three rods with metal discs, the plain cylindrical handle with three bands at top and lower edge
9¼ in. (23.5 cm.) high

Provenance

M. Bouvier collection (1901-1980), Switzerland. Bouvier was a law professor in Alexandria, prior to 1930.

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 17.5% on the buyer's premium.

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Lot Essay

The sistrum was a rattle symbolising the pacifying role of music and was used in certain cultic rituals, particularly those related to the goddess Hathor. The loose rods and disc would produce a swishing noise when shaken, and were thought to appease and pacify the more violent side of the goddess who was also known as the mistress of merriment. Used principally by priests and priestesses, sistra were also played by the king in temple rituals, and the queen from the New Kingdom onwards. For the use of silver in the Third Intermediate Period, cf. Exhibition Catalogue, Tanis L'or des pharaons, Paris, 1987.

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