Fish

Late Period–Ptolemaic Period

664–30 B.C.

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 134

This fish has one prominent dorsal fin. In front of that fin is a loop whose hole is filled with corrosion. The fish is the Barbus or Lepidotus sacred to the goddess Mehyt, the lion-headed consort of Anhur/Onuris of Thinis in the area of Abydos.

According to Plutarch, in Egyptian mythology the lepidotus fish is linked to the story of the god Seth’s dismemberment of Osiris; with two other types of fish the lepidotus ate the god's phallus. It is not likely this would be reason to create an images of the species, however, so Plutarch's understanding of the story can be questioned.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Fish
Period: Late Period–Ptolemaic Period
Date: 664–30 B.C.
Geography: From Egypt
Medium: Bronze or cupreous alloy
Dimensions: h. 1.6 cm (5/8 in.) × l. 3.1 cm (1 1/4 in.) × w. 1.1 cm (7/16 in.)
Credit Line: Gift of Helen Miller Gould, 1910
Object Number: 10.130.1322
Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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