491046 Arched Sistrum, 380-343 BC (bronze, hollow cast) by Egyptian 30th Dynasty (380-343 BC); h:21.40 w:5.30 cm; Cleveland Museum of Art, OH, USA; (add.info.: A sistrum is a musical rattle. Metal disks strung on wires along the arched upper end of the sistrum produced a rustling sound that was supposed to have a calming effect on the nerves of various deities, especially the goddesses Hathor and Bastet. Appropriately, this example is decorated with a Hathor head (a woman with cow??? ears) and a cat (the image of Bastet). These instruments are particularly associated with women, who played them as members of a temple choir. ); Gift of the John Huntington Art and Polytechnic Trust; Egyptian, out of copyright.