What are the objects Cleopatra VII and Caesarion holding on the relief at the temple of Hathor in Dendera, Egypt?

by Joshstan09

Cleopatra and Caesarion relief at Dendera

Im trying to analyse the relief and can’t seem to find out what they are actually holding and what it represents.

Thanks!

my-foot-is-a-bear

The Object in Cleopatra’s right hand appears to be a ritual rattle called a sistrum which was fairly common in Egyptian religious practice at the time.

Here’s a link to some pictures.

https://risdmuseum.org/art-design/collection/ritual-rattle-sistrum-1995050

Archeologists have recovered sistra and images of sistra as far afield as a temple of Isis in Pompeii, and Cleopatra was said to embody Isis in Egyptian religion at the time so it makes sense that such an item would be associated with her.