ClassificationsAncient Egyptian Art

Ibis Head

Place CreatedEgypt, Africa

CultureEgyptian

PeriodLate Period

Date722-332 BCE

MediumBronze

Credit LineMohamed Farid Khamis/Oriental Weavers Fund

Dimensions5 1/4 x 5 1/2 in. (13.3 x 14 cm)

Object number2004.051.003

Label TextThis solid cast bronze head of an ibis was once part of a composite sculpture as confirmed by tang on the back used to affix it to the body of the sculpture. The body of the bird may have been rendered in wood or stone and may have served as a freestanding statue of the bird or, if the body was hollowed out, perhaps a coffin for a mummified ibis. The ibis was associated with the god Thoth, who is often represented with a human body and the head of an ibis. Thoth was a lunar deity as well as the god of writing, records, scribes, and knowledge. He was venerated in many temples throughout Egypt although his main cult center existed at Hermopolis. Large cemeteries of ibis sacrificed to the god were found in both Saqqara and Tuna el-Gebel. While it is unknown whether this ibis head comes from coffin or sculpture, it is likely that it was a votive offering to the god or somehow associated with his cult. Thoth's cult centers were visited by many pilgrims, many of whom must have purchased ibis mummies or sculptures to offer to the god as a gift. Enough parallels for this object exist to suggest the possibility of such objects being manufactured for those who came to the cult centers. One other example, now in the Brooklyn Museum, features a silver ibis head and feet complete with rock crystal eyes and incised patterns to suggest texture, affixed to a wooden body painted in gold. We may never know the exact provenance for this particular piece but we can link it to a large group of impressive comparanda.
Exhibition HistoryFrom Pharaohs to Emperors: New Egyptian and Classical Antiquities at Emory, Michael C. Carlos Museum, January 14 - April 2, 2006
MCCM Permanent Collection Reinstallation, 2006 - March 13, 2018
MCCM Permanent Collection Gallery, July 17, 2018 - Present
Published ReferencesSotheby's London, The Ralph Richardson Collection (April 27, 2001), 82, lot 252.
Pharaoh's Creatures: Animals from Ancient Egypt (London: Rupert Wace Ancient Art Ltd., 2004), number 37.

ProvenanceEx coll. Sir Ralph Richarson (1902-1983), United Kingdom. Thence by descent. With Sotheby's London, April 27, 2001, lot 252. Purchased by MCCM from Rupert Wace Ancient Art, Ltd., London, England.

Markings"MAR 70/130" inscribed on base by Raph Richardson.

Status

On view

Collections