ticketsMember | Make a donation

Ram with lotus-shaped manger

Roman Period
A.D. 2nd century
Not on view
This charming ram, with its almost prehensile muzzle, feeds from a lotus-form trough. The traditional Egyptian gods Amun or Khnum were identified with curly-horned rams, but by this time several other divinities were as well. In terracotta statuettes and on coins Harpokrates can be seen riding a ram or sitting upon a lotus flower, the latter symbolic of rebirth. Perhaps this faience composition alludes to Harpokrates, who was an immensely popular god of fecundity and rebirth during the Roman era.
With the masks 26.7.1020-.1021, the ram is said to have been part of a find of numerous faience objects at Arsinoe, capital of the Fayum region.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Ram with lotus-shaped manger
  • Period: Roman Period
  • Date: A.D. 2nd century
  • Geography: From Egypt; Said to be from Fayum, Medinet el-Fayum (Krokodilopolis-Arsinoe)
  • Medium: Faience
  • Dimensions: L. 17 cm.; H. 12 cm.
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1926
  • Object Number: 26.7.1019
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Theatrical Masks and Ram Vessel for Offering, faience
Theatrical Masks and Ram Vessel for Offering
A.D. 2nd century
Decorated Vase, Faience
Decorated Vase
1st century A.D.
Two-handled Jar, Faience
Two-handled Jar
ca. 1st–2nd century A.D
Two-handled Jar with Lid, Faience
Two-handled Jar with Lid
1st-2nd century A.D.
Amulet of fist with thumb thrust between first two fingers, Pale green faience
Amulet of fist with thumb thrust between first two fingers
1st–mid 4th century

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.