Ibis
Ibis
DateLate Period (712-332 BCE)
Mediumbronze and wood
Dimensionsobject: 8 3/4 x 3 5/8 x 12 5/8 in. (22.2 x 9.2 x 32.1 cm)
ClassificationSCULPTURE
Credit LineSBMA, Gift of Wright S. Ludington
Object number1981.64.27
Subject(s)
- animal
- bird
Collection
- Antiquity
Sub-Collection(s)
- Egyptian
On View
Not on viewCollections
Label TextThe Ibis was one of the more common water birds inhabiting the marshlands of the Nile delta. It was believed to be related to the moon-god Thoth, who was patron of education, writing, and mathematics and was sometimes represented with a human body and an ibis head. In this sculpture, the artist has captured the pensive presence of the bird in nature, using two different media (bronze and wood) to heighten the effect. The sensitivity of the rendering is indicative of the keen interest that ancient Egyptian artists took in closely observing and recording the world of animals.
