Details

LOT 0485

Egyptian Faience Amulet of an Ibis

LATE PERIOD, 664-332 B.C.

1 1/4 in. (3.54 grams, 31 mm).

An exquisitely modelled figure of a seated ibis on a trapezoidal-shaped plinth, with its beak resting on the slender feather of Maat; light turquoise glaze for the body, plinth, and feather; blue glaze for the tail feathers, feet and neck; head missing.

Provenance

with Bonhams, Knightsbridge, 3 October 2000, no.413.
Private collection, Europe.

Literature

Cf. Andrews, C., Amulets of Ancient Egypt, London, 1994, p.25 no. 21f, for a similar example.

Footnotes

The ibis was considered sacred to the god Thoth. It is likely that the popularity of amulets depicting an ibis resting its beak on the feather of Maat in the funerary sphere is connected to Thoth's role as the recorder of the final judgment of the deceased by the divine tribunal. This tribunal determined if the deceased had lived a virtuous life and could enter the Underworld. This was visually represented by the deceased's heart placed on scales with the feather of Maat; if the heart and feather balanced, eternity was assured.