May 14, 2010

Friday findings: bronze Sekhmet, Virtual Egyptian Museum

Posted in Friday Findings at 2:50 pm by

Virtual Egypt SekhmetI think that this might possibly be one of the most beautiful Sekhmet faces ever. (Click on the picture to see it on its home site, the Virtual Egyptian Museum, and be sure to look at the other views of the piece as well.) This bronze from the Eighteenth Dynasty is so expressive, its features so fine and tender, almost wistful, it melts me every time I see it.

Dua Sekhmet — hail and praise to You!

Edited to add: In case clicking on the picture takes you to a page other than the Sekhmet figure, select “Full Collection” if it isn’t already highlighted, click on “By God,” then from the “Jump to…” pop-up menu select “Sakhmet.” The figure is “Bronze of Sakhmet seated, early Dyn. 18.” (The coding on the Museum site makes direct linking tricky.)

May 7, 2010

Friday findings: painting of Hathor

Posted in Friday Findings, Netjeru at 12:25 pm by

I just found something pretty, and it’s a Friday, so I thought I would try to revive my idea of posting “Friday Findings” here.

The painting is Hathor Redux by NibbleKat, and I love the delicacy of it, the graceful turn of Her head, the subtle wash of colors. Those ears are wonderful, too!

It’s a revision of the artist’s earlier Hathor painting, which I actually like a lot as well, even though the artist wasn’t satisfied with it. In the original painting, there’s a more earthy, sensual quality to Her, less serene and dreamy than this newer one. Both versions are lovely — pick your favorite flavor of Hethert!

October 23, 2009

Friday findings: Three Basts, British Museum

Posted in Friday Findings at 12:11 pm by

Three BastsThis is an interesting piece. The museum’s Web page says that it’s a triad including Bast, while the label in the photo calls it “Seated Figures of Bast.” Is it Bast and two other lionness-headed Goddesses? And if so, who are They? Or is it supposed to be three different manifestations of Bast? Or, since three in Kemetic thought is the number of indefinite multiplicity, was this piece intended to signify Bast in all Her forms? Mysteries, mysteries….

(Click the image to go to the museum’s site, where you can view a larger version of the photo.)