Head of a cow goddess
The head depicts a goddess with a cow’s face and this zoomorphism and the sun disk between her horns convey divinity. The subject matter and the animal’s benevolent expression, along with the skillfully carved dark stone, suggest the statue dates to the reign of Amenhotep III.
Hathor, a powerful deity with wide ranging responsibilities among the gods, is the statue’s most likely subject and her affiliation with cows is an old one. However, Amenhotep III made statues honoring a number of lesser-known zoomorphic deities, so Mehet-weret, whose name means "Great Flood," could also be the subject. Unfortunately, the piece lacks an inscription and therefore a firm identity.
Hathor, a powerful deity with wide ranging responsibilities among the gods, is the statue’s most likely subject and her affiliation with cows is an old one. However, Amenhotep III made statues honoring a number of lesser-known zoomorphic deities, so Mehet-weret, whose name means "Great Flood," could also be the subject. Unfortunately, the piece lacks an inscription and therefore a firm identity.
Artwork Details
- Title: Head of a cow goddess
- Period: New Kingdom, possibly Ramesside Period
- Dynasty: Dynasty 19–20
- Date: ca. 1295–1070 BCE
- Geography: From Egypt
- Medium: Porphyritic diorite
- Dimensions: H. 53.6 × W. 28 × D. 33 cm, 55.4 kg (21 1/8 × 11 × 13 in., 122.2 lb.)
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1919
- Object Number: 19.2.5
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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ca. 1390–1352 B.C.
ca. 1479–1425 B.C.
ca. 1295–1070 B.C.
ca. 1390–1352 B.C.
ca. 1479–1458 B.C.
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