Cylinder seal with an image of seated Hathor
This cylinder seal bears a roughly incised cartouche and the Horus of Gold name of King Menkaure of Dynasty 4, as well as an image of a goddess, almost certainly Hathor. The deity is shown seated on a throne with her head topped by cow horns. She holds a was scepter, more commonly seen with male gods. While cylinder seals were used by officials for administrative record keeping, this one may belong to a special type which functioned as an amulet that protected its owner.
Artwork Details
- Title: Cylinder seal with an image of seated Hathor
- Period: Old Kingdom
- Dynasty: Dynasty 4
- Reign: reign of Menkaure
- Date: ca. 2490–2472 BCE
- Geography: From Egypt
- Medium: Green muscovite (fuchsite)
- Dimensions: H. 2.4 × Diam. 1.2 cm (15/16 × 1/2 in.)
- Credit Line: Gift of Helen Miller Gould, 1910
- Object Number: 10.130.1613
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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ca. 2458–2446 B.C.
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ca. 3100–2900 B.C.
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5th–2nd century BCE
ca. 3200–3100 B.C.
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