The Goddess Meret Shemau

The Goddess Meret Shemau

mages of the goddess Meret Shemau (“Meret of the Southern Lands”) are recognizable from the curl at the end of her hairdo and her distinctive gesture of greeting or clapping. Depictions of divine rituals show Meret Shemau as a chantress. This scene, when complete, probably depicted her greeting the king as he ran a ceremonial race.

MEDIUM Limestone

DATES ca. 1514-1493 B.C.E.

DYNASTY XVIII Dynasty

PERIOD New Kingdom

DIMENSIONS 9 9/16 x 12 7/8 in. (24.3 x 32.7 cm)

Creamy white limestone fragment with bold relief representation of upper portion of a girl, facing right, with one arm stretched out (other arm not shown), inscription above (three hieroglyphs only). Condition: Fragmentary but sound. Formerly broken into at least five pieces and well mended; scratches.

https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/4259