Statuette of Ibis and Priest
A zoom of the museum photo allows us to better see the orange-rimmed eyes and tiny baboon figure:
Egyptian Late Period, Dynasties 26 or later, 664-525 B.C.E.
Bronze, H x W x D: 13 x 5 x 14 cm (5 1/8 x 1 15/16 x 5 1/2 in.)
Horace L. and Florence E. Mayer Fund 1994, MFA #1994.234
Photo ©Joan Ann Lansberry, 2014
"The god Thoth, or Djehuty as he was called by the Egyptians, was originally a moon god who eventually came to be associated with writing and knowledge and to preside over scribes and scholars of all types. The god appeared in two distinct manifestations, as an ibis and as a baboon, and although both were lunar-related, that of the ibis was primary."(Wilkinson, _Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt_, page 215)
"The priest is depicted with a shaven head and a long robe typical of the 26th Dynasty and later. In his arms he cradles a small figure of a baboon, another form of Thoth. Thoth is shown striding forward and his glistening eyes are made of black glass set in orange glass rims. The inscription at the base indentifies the dedicant and reads: " So says the great god Thoth, Lord of Hermopolis: may life and a good old age be given to Tchya, son of Iret-Hor-ru and Heker." (Info from museum website)
