Previous image preload Next image preload
Back to catalog
Lot 3
image_0 image_1 image_2
Romano-Egyptian Bronze Relief Amulet Thoth
Romano-Egyptian Bronze Relief Amulet Thoth
image_0 image_1 image_2
Description:

Ancient Egypt, Romano-Egyptian period, ca. 30 BCE to 300 CE. An adorable bronze relief amulet depicting a seated baboon in profile with a sizable head and rounded snout. Positioned with legs propped up and hands on knees, the simian figure is likely a representation of the Egyptian deity Thoth, the baboon-headed god of writing, accounting, and academic pursuits. A wonderful, wearable pendant that may serve to signify the wearer's own intellect, all enveloped in a rich green patina evocative of the ancient world! Size: 0.9" W x 1.7" H (2.3 cm x 4.3 cm)

According to Egyptologists Erik Hornung and Betsy M. Bryan, "As primeval animals, baboons and green monkeys were prominent parts of the Egyptian cosmogony. The earliest gods are sometimes depicted with baboon heads. The baboon became an aspect of the sun god, Re . . . And of the moon god, Thoth-Khonsu. Thoth (Djehuty in ancient Egyptian) was the god of writing and knowledge, who was depicted in the form of two animals: the baboon (Papio cynocephalus) and the sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus). In his baboon form Thoth was closely associated with the baboon god, Hedj-wer (the great white one) of the Early Dynastic period. By the end of the Old Kingdom (2686 - 2181 BCE) he was usually portrayed as an ibis-headed man, holding a scribal palette and pen or a notched palm leaf, performing some kind of act of recording or calculation." (Hornung, Erik and Betsy M. Bryan, eds. "The Quest for Immortality: Treasures of Ancient Egypt." National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2002, p. 200)

Provenance: private New York, USA collection, acquired prior to 1974

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#176095

  • Condition: Expected nicks and abrasions, all commensurate with age, but otherwise intact and excellent with rich patina. Wearable as a pendant.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

March 19, 2023 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 26.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000