Sistrum with the Name of King Amasis
Sistra are cultic musical instruments, which when shaken produced a rattling sound that was thought to be soothing and pacifying. These cultic instruments are closely connected to the goddess Hathor and they most commonly include the Hathor emblem, which contains a woman’s head with cow’s ears. The top of the piece here is in the shape of a naos between two volutes and thus belongs to a type of sistrum called "naos sistrum." This top part originally held three cross bars, as is evident from the three holes on the sides of the piece. Small sounding plates were presumably originally inserted onto these now missing bars in order to produce a rattling sound. Many sistra made out of faience are known. They might have been meant as gifts to a deity rather than as instruments that were played often, as the material would be too fragile for frequent use. The handle of the piece has two inscriptions that each give two of the names of king Amasis.
Artwork Details
- Title: Sistrum with the Name of King Amasis
- Period: Late Period, Saite
- Dynasty: Dynasty 26
- Reign: reign of Amasis
- Date: 570–526 B.C.
- Geography: From Egypt
- Medium: Faience
- Dimensions: H. 30.1 × W. 8.2 × D. 3.2 cm (11 7/8 × 3 1/4 × 1 1/4 in.)
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1907
- Object Number: 07.228.77
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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4th century B.C.
360–343 BCE
ca. 872–664 BCE
664–525 BCE
332–30 BCE
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