Lot 4B
Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, 26th to 31st Dynasty, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. A cast-leaded-bronze figure of a youthful male priest of Thoth, the god of writing and other intellectual pursuits, in a striding pose atop an integral rectangular plinth. The figure presents with his left leg forward and wears a knee-length skirt high on his hips as well as a form-fitting shirt with a V-shaped neck. Held in his left hand is a petite effigy of Thoth in his seated baboon form with attenuated legs, a projecting snout, and a lightly incised Nemes headcloth. The priest's head features almond-shaped eyes, a simple coiffure situated low on the brow, cupped ears, and a pinched nose. Fine mottled green and brown patina envelops both the priest and the baboon. Size: 1.375" L x 1" W x 3.3" H (3.5 cm x 2.5 cm x 8.4 cm); 3.9" H (9.9 cm) on included custom stand.
Baboons were not native to Egypt, but instead were imported from Nubia. They were, however, popular animals in the ancient Egyptian artistic tradition as well as being important to religious worship. The primate in this example is representative of Thoth, the ibis-headed god of writing, accounting, and wisdom who would assume the form of a baboon in certain stories. This priest of Thoth is perhaps carrying the figural depiction to an altar during a religious ceremony.
For a stylistically similar example holding a vase and censer, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 47.105.3
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA; ex-Artemis Gallery; ex-Sutphin collection, San Diego, California, before 1980
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#152799
- Condition: Repairs to one back plinth corner as well as figure's left arm, with small chips and light resurfacing with overpainting along break lines. Right arm missing as shown. Abrasions to plinth, body, Thoth effigy, and head, with minor pitting and encrustations, and light softening to some finer details. Light earthen deposits in scattered areas and great patina throughout.
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