Artwork
Ibis
DepartmentAncient Mediterranean Art
CultureEgyptian
Dateca. 712-30 B.C.
Dimensionsh. 4 15/16 in. (12.5 cm)
Credit LineSan Antonio Museum of Art, gift of Gilbert M. Denman, Jr.
Object number91.80.141
GeographyDescriptionStatuette of an ibis, probably from the lid of an animal coffin. Its body is made of travertine (Egyptian alabaster), and the head and neck, tail and legs are bronze. The ibis strides forward with its left leg. The feathers of its tail are lightly incised, and its eyes were once inlaid in another material. The travertine body is modern.Label TextThe ibis, a water bird native to ancient Egypt, was one of the animals associated with the god Thoth, the god of wisdom and patron of scribes. Thoth was represented as an ibis especially in images related to the New Year festivals and the coronation of the king. This ibis was probably originally a feature of a coffin dedicated to Thoth, possibly at his cult temple at Khemenu (or Greek Hermopolis).
(Sarah Schellinger, 2018)
Provenancesold by Khodary M. El Gabry, Cairo, to Gilbert M. Denman, Jr. (1921-2004), San Antonio, 1961; Gilbert M. Denman, Jr., by gift to San Antonio Museum of Art, 1991Exhibition History"Egyptian Animal Mummies: Science Explores an Ancient Religion," San Antonio Museum of Art, March 23-July 1, 2018On view
Collections
The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.
This resource has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.
