artemisdreaming:
Cornice block from the temple of Harendotes depicting the “Baptism of Pharaoh”
Sandstone
A.D. 41-68
From the island of Philae
This block originally formed part of a screen wall that connected the four front columns and the sidewalls of the temple of Harendotes (“Horus the Avenger”) on the island of Philae. The relief represents the “Baptism of Pharaoh”, a purification ritual that was part of Egyptian coronation ceremonies. The ibis-headed god Thoth is seen pouring water, represented by streams of ankh (life) and was (dominion) hieroglyphs, over the head of the king. The pharaoh is a Claudian emperor, probably Claudius or Nero. Metropolitan Museum of Art ,NYC ggnyc Larger image: Here