Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, 26th to 31st Dynasty, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. A seated baboon figure that is hand-carved from smooth brown steatite bearing the likeness of the baboon form of Thoth, the god of accounting, writing, mathematics, and other intellectual pursuits. Typically shown as an ibis-headed man, this example portrays the god in his primate form while seated atop an integral plinth with both hands resting atop his knees. His tapered face protrudes outwards above a smooth chest and bears a veristic snout, petite eyes beneath a plateaued brow, and a pair of ears perking up from beneath his lustrous mane. Faint remains of yellow and red glaze visible on each eye suggest that this figure was covered with layers of vibrant glaze at one time. Size: 2.625" L x 2.2" W x 3.9" H (6.7 cm x 5.6 cm x 9.9 cm); 4.7" H (11.9 cm) on included custom stand.

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)

Cf. a faience example at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 26.7.874

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world’s largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: private Corpus Christi, Texas, USA estate collection, acquired 1960s to 1970s

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#165090

Snout reattached to front of face, with small chips and very light adhesive residue along break lines. Losses to proper front-right corner of plinth and tip of tail as shown. Minor abrasions and pitting to surfaces, with fading to most areas of original glaze, and light softening to some finer details. Wonderful preservation to overall form, and very faint remains of original glaze visible on eyes.