LOT 0064

Large Egyptian Bronze Figure of Thoth

LATE PERIOD, 26TH-30TH DYNASTY, 664-343 B.C.

4 5/8 in. (8 3/4 in.) (810 grams, 11.8 cm (1.59 kg total, 22.1 cm high including stand)).

Hollow-cast depiction of the baboon manifestation of the god Thoth, seated on its haunches, front paws resting on the knees of its back legs, genitalia exposed, a thick cowl of fur around its shoulders, and a long tail curling from the back; remains of a crescent moon sit on the crown of its head, preserving traces of gilding (this may originally have been surmounted by a full moon disc); the animal’s coat is rendered naturalistically with fine incised detailing, and the hands and feet are delicately portrayed, with knuckles and nails accurately defined; facial features are strongly modelled; the eye inlays, most likely glass or quartz, survive, with pupil and white differentiated; stabilised.

Collection of Max Willborg (1933-2001), Stockholm, Sweden, acquired 1981.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13521-263440.

Cf. Jørgensen, M., NY Carlsberg Glyptotek Catalogue Egypt V, 2009, nos.76.1-4. 76.2 and 76.3, for two examples showing the complete crown of the full and crescent moon.

Because of its curious behaviour at dawn, when it sits upright on its hind legs, waves its front paws in the air, and screeches, the baboon was regarded as a creature of the sun god, as if it had foreknowledge of the sun’s arrival. More commonly, however, it was associated with the moon, under whose light this performance takes place. As a result, the baboon (both Papio cynocephalus, the dog-headed baboon, and P. hamadryas) was the form adopted by the Egyptian lunar gods Khonsu of Thebes and Thoth of Hermopolis in Middle Egypt. Images such as this are assumed to represent Thoth unless an inscription specifically names Khonsu. Thoth was Lord of Time, inventor of writing, and patron of scribes. The original animal manifestation associated with Thoth may have been the ibis, and his baboon form may have been adopted only when the cult of the god was extended to Hermopolis, where a baboon known as the Great White was already adored.