Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection Berlin
Collection:
Gods
The Egyptian term for god has many aspects, and these are reflected in the various names and different forms of appearance which the observer encounters in statuettes, colossal statues and stele.
Behind and above this variety stand one all-embracing idea of God. In these varieties of representation, the Egyptian tries to make God understandable; for this, human or animal forms, cosmic symbols and holy object all are equally suitable. The approach to the inconceivable is considered especially suitable in the melting of a human body and animal head.
Behind and above this variety stand one all-embracing idea of God. In these varieties of representation, the Egyptian tries to make God understandable; for this, human or animal forms, cosmic symbols and holy object all are equally suitable. The approach to the inconceivable is considered especially suitable in the melting of a human body and animal head.
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Various Forms of the Sun God: Falcon, Scarab and Fish
New Kingdom
19th Dynasty, ca. 1280 B.C.
Deir el-Medina
Wood
Height 39 cm,
Inv.-No. 818
The previously painted wooden stele is decorated at the top with the sun bark and the falcon headed Horus in the sundisc. In the middle a large winged scarab accompanies the text in which the donor praises the various manifestations of the sun god. In some graves of the New Kingdom a litany 75 such transformations are counted. Only the title of the owner is preserved as a 'servant in the city of the truth' he belonged to the arts and crafts guild in the valley of the kings in Thebes. -
Part of a Menat
3rd Intermediate Period
22. Dynastie, ca. 870 B.C.
Thebes
Bronze with inlays
Height 7 cm, width 9 cm
Inv.-No. 23733
This bronze disc is the counterweight to a necklace called Menat by the ancient Egyptian.
The scene inlayed in copper and gold shows a youth with the side lock of a child and holding a systrum ( a kind of rattle) and a Menat. In front of him sits the Lion headed goddess Sachmet. The inscription identifies the person as High Priest and Vizir Hariese however the fact that he carries the uraeus serpent on his forehead the prerogative of the king define his aspiration. The rest of the scene with other royal symbols confirms his ambition to attain the kingship however his aspirations were not fulfilled -
Throne for the Figure of a God
Late Period, 26th Dynasty, ca. 600 B.C.
Bronze
Length 15,5 cm
Inv.-No. 4580
Many objects which were used in the daily cult or on special occasions for the gods were found in the temples. Besides more common items such as vessels for holy water sensors and music instrument more specific objects such as this throne for a figure of Harpocrates were present. The side wings are formed as the wings of a protective goddess the throne is carried by two lions and at the front two sphinxes are pictured. this ornated design gives an indication of the splendour with which the temples were furnished. -
Aegis
Late Period, 26th Dynasty, ca. 950 B.C.
Bronze,
Height 30,5 cm
Inv.-No. 23706
A particular form of cult object of Egypt is the Aegis, made up of a necklace and the counterweight of the menat both fashioned in bronze. The necklace is topped by the head of the goddess Hathor shown with the horns of a cow. During processions in honour of the goddess this object as well as systrums (rhythm instruments) were usually carried by the priestesses. -
Relief: The Multifarious God Tutu
Roman, 2nd - 3rd century A.D.
Limestone
Height 96 cm, width 113 cm
Inv.-No. 20840
Tutu (griech. Tithoes) is a typical god of Greco-Roman Egypt. Mostly he was considered the guard of graves however this function as protector was transferred also to the living whom he preserved from all evil. Numerous private votiv stela demostrate his popularity, inscription and temple reliefs such as this one, also show his positionin the official cult which spread up to Thrakia.
His appearance goes back to the representation of the kings as a shpinx with a human head and lion body. Theologist continued to recognize more and more aspects of the god: here the lion body has the wings of a griffith the head of a crocodile and a falcon headed serpent.
In this relief elements of greek and egyptian art are mixed in a style typical of thi time period and from which eventually led the coptic style developed. -
Ptah
Late Period, 26th Dynasty, ca. 950 B.C.
Bronze,
Height 16,8 cm
Inv.-No. 2423
Names and pictorial representations of gods are know to us from the Predynastic times. In the following centuries small statues were placed in shrines in the temples whereas in the Late Period private person placed statuettes of gods in the temple in order to ask for, or say thank for received, favours.
Egyptian gods could be represented in human, animal, and mixed forms
Even though particular characteristics were usually assigned to a particular god overlapping was possible. The god Ptah the city god of Memphis is shown in mummy form wearing a tight cap with a long band which hangs from the neck down the back. He carries a 'was'-sceptre the symbol of power. As patron of the arts and crafts he was very popular not only in Memphis but throughout Egypt as the great numbers of statuettes representing him attest.
The Netherworld
Last updates: text (09.05.08), pictures (12.04.08)
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