Schilbe fish, sacred to Hatmehyt, on standard

Unknown

664–30 B.C. · Cupreous metal · Egyptian Art

The schlibe fish was illustrated atop the standard of the nome of Mendes in the eastern Delta since earliest times. It was very closely associated with the local goddess Hatmehyt , whose name in fact means "Foremost of the Fishes" and who wore the schilbe atop her crown and hanging down her back (89.2.517). Hatmehyt was the only Egyptian god(dess) associated so closely with a fish, and this certainly has to do with the importance of the swampy damp environment of the area.

Artist

Unknown

Date

664–30 B.C.

Medium

Cupreous metal

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Gift of Joseph W. Drexel, 1889