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Baboon Appliqué

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

The baboon, like the ibis, was sacred to the god Thoth. A small number of baboon mummies were buried in the ibis cemeteries. The wooden baboon shown here perhaps was part of a shrine of Thoth as a baboon. The small appliqué also on view was once attached to a baboon mummy. Bronze figurines of baboons, like the third object displayed here, were symbols used by scribes, who worshipped Thoth as the god of writing.
MEDIUM Linen
  • Reportedly From: Saqqara, Egypt
  • DATES 305–30 B.C.E.
    PERIOD Ptolemaic Period
    DIMENSIONS 5 1/2 x 2 3/8 x 1/4 in. (14 x 6 x 0.6 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 37.272E
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Baboon Appliqué, 305–30 B.C.E. Linen, 5 1/2 x 2 3/8 x 1/4 in. (14 x 6 x 0.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.272E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.272E.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 37.272E.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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