FRAGMENT OF A SISTRUM Earthenware with turquoise glaze Dim. 58 x 60 mm Egypt, Third Intemperate Period, 1069-664 BC Provenance Former French private collection, P.L French private collection Fragment of an earthenware sistrum representing a head of the goddess Hathor, carved in high relief on both sides. The face has the characteristic features of Hathoric iconography: a frontal face of harmonious proportions, finely incised almond-shaped eyes, a straight nose and a delicate mouth. The head is framed by the tripartite hairstyle typical of Hathor, consisting of a voluminous wig with vertically streaked locks, divided into three sections: two lateral sections falling symmetrically on either side of the face, and a central section. At the top of the head, a cubic architectural element is visible, probably a stylised representation of the naos (sanctuary) that traditionally crowned the hathorric heads on the sistres. On either side of the face, protruding elements suggest the cow's ears characteristic of Hathor in her animal form, or the architectural scrolls of the Hathoric capital. The earthenware has a magnificent, intense and luminous turquoise-blue glaze, a symbolic colour in ancient Egypt evoking the regenerating waters of the Nile, the celestial sky and rebirth. The surface has a buried patina, with some areas of glaze disintegration revealing the beige-pink core of the earthenware. The relief modelling is finely executed, with carefully incised details (striations on the wig, facial features). This fragment belonged to a sistrum, a ritual musical instrument emblematic of the cult of Hathor. The sistrum (in Egyptian sesheshet) was a sacred rattle consisting of a handle topped by a naos-shaped frame containing movable metal rods that produced a tinkling sound when shaken. Hathoric sistra were characterised by the presence of one or more heads of the goddess integrated into their structure. Hathor, one of the major deities in the Egyptian pantheon, was venerated as the goddess of love, music, dance, joy, maternity and fertility. She was also the protector of the dead in the afterlife. Her representation with cow's ears and her tripartite hairstyle made her instantly recognisable. The sistrum was specifically dedicated to her, and her ritual agitation evoked the rustling of papyrus in the primordial marshes, a symbol of rebirth. An Egyptian Third Intermediate Period Fragmentary Hathoric Sistrum. 1069-664 BCE. Faience sistrum fragment representing a head of the goddess Hathor, carved in high relief on both faces. The face presents the characteristic features of Hathoric iconography: frontal face with harmonious proportions, finely incised almond-shaped eyes, straight nose, delicate mouth. The head is framed by Hathor's typical tripartite coiffure, composed of a voluminous wig with vertically striated locks, divided into three sections: two lateral panels falling symmetrically on either side of the face, and a central section. At the top of the head, a cubic architectural element is visible, probably the stylized representation of the naos (shrine) that traditionally crowned Hathoric heads on sistra. On each side of the face, protruding elements suggest the characteristic cow ears of Hathor in her animal form, or the architectural volutes of the Hathoric capital. The faience presents a magnificent intense and luminous turquoise-blue glaze, a symbolic colour in ancient Egypt evoking the regenerating water of the Nile, the celestial sky, and rebirth. The surface shows burial patina with some areas of glaze deterioration revealing the beige-pink faience core. The relief modeling is finely executed, with carefully incised details (wig striations, facial features). This fragment belonged to a sistrum, a ritual musical instrument emblematic of Hathor's cult. The sistrum (in Egyptian sesheshet) was a sacred rattle consisting of a handle topped with a naos-shaped frame containing movable metal rods producing a jingling sound when shaken. Hathoric sistra were characterised by the presence of one or more heads of the goddess integrated into their structure. These instruments were used during religious ceremonies, particularly in temples dedicated to Hathor, but also in the cult of other deities. The sound produced by the sistrum was supposed to appease the gods, chase away evil forces, and favour cosmic regeneration. Priestesses and high-ranking women played the sistrum during processions and rituals. Hathor, one of the major deities of the Egyptian pantheon, was venerated as goddess of love, music, dance, joy, motherhood, and fertility. She was also protector of the deceased in the afterlife. Her representation with cow ears and tripartite coiffure made her immediately recognisable. The sistrum was specifically consecrated to her and its ritual shaking evoked the rustling of papyrus in primordial marshes, a symbol of rebirth.