Magic Wand Depicting a Procession of Deities

Description The curve of this wand follows that of the hippopotamus tusk from which it was made but its flat form is reminiscent of the curved throwing sticks used to catch fowl. Powerful protective deities, such as Taweret and Bes, are depicted together with protective uraeus serpents and other mythical creatures. Many of the figures brandish knives to dispel evil spirits.

Conservation

Date	Description	Narrative
6/13/1979	Examination	examined for condition
11/16/1982	Treatment	cleaned; examined for condition
9/17/1998	Examination	survey

Exhibitions

• Ivory: The Sumptuous Art. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1983-1984.
• Mistress of House Mistress of Heaven: Women in Ancient Egypt. Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati; Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn. 1996-1997.
• Daily Magic in Ancient Egypt. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. 2006-2007.

Provenance Dikran Kelekian, New York and Paris; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1914, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters, 1914