Egypt, Ptolemaic Period, ca. 332 to 30 BCE. An extremely rare example of a majestic ibis exhibiting a body shaped from solid glass in an opaque, cobalt-blue hue. The ibis presents atop a pair of attached bronze legs in a striding pose as if meandering through shallow waters, its lengthy claws digging into the alluvial earth as it searches intently for its next meal. The plump, egg-shaped body has its tail raised gently into the air opposite its slightly bowed shoulders, and both wings are held gracefully against its sides to indicate the lack of any surrounding predators. The attached bronze head bears a slender, sinuous neck that rises up to the head with its signature curving beak as well as 2 ovoid eyes that were perhaps adorned with paste glass inlays at one time. Thick layers of green, brown, and russet patina across the bronze anatomy create a wondrous chromatic effect that complements the deep azure and cream colors of the body. Size: 4.66" L x 1.53" W x 4" H (11.8 cm x 3.9 cm x 10.2 cm); 5.23" H (13.3 cm) on included custom stand.

The ibis, an elegant, long-legged wading bird that lives along the shores of the Nile, was associated with the ibis-headed Thoth - god of mathematics, writing, intellectual pursuits, and wisdom - as well as with the sage and god of architecture Imhotep in later periods. The ancient Egyptians believed that worshipping Thoth necessitated the ritual sacrifice and mummification of millions of ibises to be displayed in underground galleries, many of which have been excavated at Saqqara, near Memphis, Egypt's ancient capital. Saqqara was a temple complex with a large system of underlying catacombs. This piece was likely a votive zoomorph created to be placed inside a tomb, and the blue glass body is perhaps representative of the life-giving and life-restoring waters of the sacred Nile River.

To corroborate some of these points, author Manfred Lurker writes, "The sacred ibis (ibis religiosa) was a white bird with black on its head, neck and the tips of the wing pinions. It attained special significance because it was regarded as the incarnation of Thoth. Numerous mummified ibises were laid to rest in the necropolis of Hermopolis, Thoth's main cult centre. Thousands of examples have also been found in the sacred animal necropolis at Sakkara. They were specially bred on the nearby lake at Abusir to be embalmed and offered to pilgrims to dedicate in the vast underground galleries of the site. The crested ibis (ibis comata), with dark iridescent plumage, is seen in the written character for the word 'to be radiant' and in earlier times it appeared as a metaphor for 'transfiguration', and, lastly, as an image for the transfigured dead." (Lurker, Manfred. "The Gods and Symbols of Ancient Egypt: An Illustrated Dictionary." Thames & Hudson, London, 1986, pp. 68-69)

Cf. a nearly identical example in "Art of the Ancients: A Selection of Ancient Art." Aphrodite Ancient Art, New York, Vol. 1, 2013, p. 7

Cf. The J. Paul Getty Museum, object number 2003.158

Provenance: private San Francisco, California, USA collection, acquired before 2010

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#170443

Glass body and bronze components are likely not original to one another but are all of the stated time period. Head and legs attached to body with thick adhesive residue along attachment points. Possible repair and restoration to beak in 2 places, along lower curve of neck, and on both legs that are very nicely concealed if so. Repair and restoration to small area on front of glass body along topside where neck is inserted into body, with resurfacing and overpainting along new material and break lines. Nicks and abrasions to body, head, and legs commensurate with age, with pitting across body, and softening to some finer details on head. Great patina to bronze components, and nice surface smoothness across glass body. Old inventory label on side of display stand.