Cow plaque

Unknown

ca. 1479–1458 B.C. · Bronze · Egyptian Art

This metal plaque depicts a cow with a sundisk between its horns, which is a common representation of the goddess Hathor. It was excavated at Deir el-Bahari, close to a shrine for this goddess. Most likely the plaque had been deposited at this shrine, as a donation to the deity. There are two elongated loops on the back of the plaque: one is in the center of the cow’s back, and the other is on the baseline. These were probably used for stringing this plaque together with a series of similar small pieces.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1479–1458 B.C.

Medium

Bronze

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1923