Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Scarab with Two Different Images of Thoth
(Ancient Egypt and Nubia )
This steatite scarab has a flat underside with a horizontally arranged design of two different images of a god, Thoth. The first figure has a human body and ibis head, and the second is baboon-shaped with hands on the knees and tail raised in back. The top design is detailed. The piece is poorly made and the workmanship is rough.
The piece functioned as an individualized provider amulet, and was originally mounted or threaded. The amulet should secure the support of Thoth. It is possible that it had a funerary function, and that Thoth is depicted in two moon god manifestations, although no moon disk is depicted above the head of one of the figures. In this case, the piece would stand for renewal.
The combination of two different representations of Thoth is uncommon.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Henry Walters, Baltimore, [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Geographies
Egypt (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 1/4 x W: 1/2 x L: 11/16 in. (0.7 x 1.2 x 1.7 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
42.394