Schilbe fish, sacred to Hatmehyt, on standard
The schlibe fish was illustrated atop the standard of the nome of Mendes in the eastern Delta since earliest times. It was very closely associated with the local goddess Hatmehyt , whose name in fact means "Foremost of the Fishes" and who wore the schilbe atop her crown and hanging down her back (89.2.517).
Hatmehyt was the only Egyptian god(dess) associated so closely with a fish, and this certainly has to do with the importance of the swampy damp environment of the area.
Hatmehyt was the only Egyptian god(dess) associated so closely with a fish, and this certainly has to do with the importance of the swampy damp environment of the area.
Artwork Details
- Title: Schilbe fish, sacred to Hatmehyt, on standard
- Period: Late Period–Ptolemaic Period
- Date: 664–30 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt
- Medium: Cupreous metal
- Dimensions: h. 5.7 cm (2 1/4) × l. 5.7 cm (2 1/4 in.)
- Credit Line: Gift of Joseph W. Drexel, 1889
- Object Number: 89.2.610
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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550–300 B.C.
ca. 945–712 BCE
332–30 BCE
390–246 BCE
610–595 B.C.
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