A large Egyptian limestone Hathor head sistrum handle fragment

A large Egyptian limestone Hathor head sistrum handle fragment Late Period, 26th Dynasty, circa 664-525 B.C. The janiform cow-eared goddess depicted with extended cosmetic eye lines and brows, wearing a full wig with incised details and an elaborate broad collar, surmounted by a cavetto moulding supporting the lower section of a now-missing naos, a uraeus facing outwards on each side of the wig, 11.5cm high Footnotes: Provenance: with Galerie Athena, Brussels. Private collection, Geneva, acquired from the above 11 September 1978. Private collection, Europe, acquired from the above in 2006. Cf. a closely related example in the Princeton University Art Museum, acc. no. y1986-5, and an example in faience at the Seattle Art Museum, acc. no. 58.77. The sistrum was a musical instrument primarily used by women during religious ceremonies, whose sound was believed to please the gods. Sistra were commonly made of bronze, with examples in other materials believed to have been votive offerings dedicated in temples and tombs. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com