Palm of a Ceremonial Fan

Unknown

A.D. 1st–2nd century · Bronze, glass, gold · Egyptian Art

This palm (joining piece) of a ceremonial fan depicts a royal baldachin atop an umbel, the flower section of the papyrus plant. On the back of the palm are sockets for three ostrich plumes, and the lower end is made to fit onto a long staff. Goddesses holding feathered fans flank the pharaoh seated inside the baldachin. One of the royal cartouches appearing just below the cornice could be a poor version of one of the names of the Middle Kingdom pharaoh Amenemhat III. His pyramid complex at Hawara was a favorite site for burials in Roman times, and many mummies with panel portraits were found there. This fan might have been used in a temple at nearby Arsinöe, capital of the Fayum.

Artist

Unknown

Date

A.D. 1st–2nd century

Medium

Bronze, glass, gold

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Purchase, Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1926