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Sizable Marble Statue of Thoth as Seated Baboon
Circa 664-342 BC
Description: A softly rendered figure of Thoth as a seated baboon atop decorative base carved in a creamy marble with warm amber tones. The baboon sits in typical form, squatting with his arms bent at his sides and front paws resting palm down on his knees bent to his chest. Lower paws are pointed inward with inner apposable digits articulated and touching each other. A long thick tail gently traces the baboon’s haunches, and ends at his right heel. Genitalia apparent. The somber face of the animal is broad with large cheek bones, prominent nose and muzzle, close-together almond-shaped eyes and sloped forehead. The top of the head remains slightly flat where a lunar crown would have rested. As a whole, the animal’s body is very plainly rendered with only necessary lines of incision, thus enhancing the natural beauty of the marble. The high base upon which the baboon sits is rectangular with beveled front corners, and incised with three lines around the circumference of base. An outstanding and attractive example of Egyptian stone sculpture. FOT Inv: 205.0090
Length: 6 in. (15 cm)
Condition: Intact as shown. Headdress at top of head missing.
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Dr. Edward D. Freis, a world renowned cardiologist who made great strides in understanding and treating blood pressure. Dr. Fries was an avid art enthusiast who collected all manner of art. The baboon was acquired at Sotheby’s in the early 1990s.
Reference: See GAMWELL p. 56-57 for a similar marble baboon with complete headdress in the collection of Sigmund Freud.
Background: In ancient Egypt, baboons (hedj wer) were the symbol of the spirit of the lunar god, Thoth, before the image of the ibis became more popular. Thoth, as patron of intellectual pursuits, was credited with the creation of hieroglyphs and was charged with the ‘Weighing of the Heart’ ceremony of the deceased. Often baboons, such as this, were depicted seated upon the balance of the scale where they could declare to Osiris that the dead was ‘true of voice.’
Price: On Request
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