Amulet: crouching ibis and baboon
Life Story
This amulet is of a not uncommon type and represents the sacred animals of Thoth of Hermopolis, the ibis and baboon, in conjunction. The bird crouches on a thin rectangular base with its feet before it, its beak resting upon the head of a baboon wearing a striated kilt and squatting with its forepaws on its knees. The inscription on the under-side of the base refers to ‘The Lord of Hermopolis’ (?), i.e. Thoth, but the rest is obscure, unless it refers to a private name.
Entry taken from Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection 3 volume catalogue, edited by Steven Hooper (Yale University Press, 1997).
Provenance
Formerly in the MacGregor Collection.
Gift from K. J. Hewett to Robert and Lisa Sainsbury in 1958.
Donated to the Sainsbury Centre, University of East Anglia 1973 as part of the original gift.
On display
Title/Description: Amulet: crouching ibis and baboon
Born: 0650 BC - 0342 BC
Measurements: h. 20 x w. 23 x d. 5 mm
Inscription: refers to'The Lord of Heropolis' (?) i.e. Thoth, but the rest is obscure
Accession Number: 318
Historic Period: Late Period (c. 650-342 BC), 7th century BC, 3rd century BC
Production Place: Africa, Egypt
Credit Line: Donated by Robert and Lisa Sainsbury, 1973
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