Collection
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Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Ibis Mummy

664–332 B.C.E.

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Object Label

The shape of this animal mummy resembles that of a human mummy or the figure of the god Osiris, king of the dead. The painted plaster remains of an elaborate headdress, like those worn by kings, and a curved beard also emphasized for an Egyptian viewer this mummy’s close connection with Osiris.

The X-ray shows a complete ibis inside the wrappings.

Caption

Ibis Mummy, 664–332 B.C.E.. Animal remains, linen, cartonnage, pigment, 23 × 7 × 4 in. (58.4 × 17.8 × 10.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1986E. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Gallery

Not on view

Title

Ibis Mummy

Date

664–332 B.C.E.

Dynasty

Dynasty 26, or later

Period

Late Period to Ptolemaic Period

Geography

Reportedly from: Saqqara, Egypt

Medium

Animal remains, linen, cartonnage, pigment

Classification

Remains, Animal

Dimensions

23 × 7 × 4 in. (58.4 × 17.8 × 10.2 cm)

Credit Line

Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

Accession Number

37.1986E

Frequent Art Questions

  • What is the ibis mummy

    Hi! An ibis is a type of water bird with a long, curved beak. The ancient Egyptians associated them with Thoth, the god of wisdom and writing.
    There were certain temples where the priests bred the birds specifically to be mummified and sold to the public for making donations to the god.
    Thank you!!

  • What did the ibis symbolize something that made them so popular?

    Their long beak resembled the reed pens used by scribes, which is how they came to be associated with the god Thoth.

  • What was the significance of the Ibis?

    The ibis is associated with Thoth, the god of wisdom. The birds long, curving beak resembles the reed used by scribes to write.
    The Egyptians believed that animals had souls and that a mummified ibis could carry messages to Thoth. We know that people asked for things like help with family, work, etc. Similar to things we would want help with today!
    Thank you.

  • Tell me more.

    This small human shaped mummy actually contains an ibis which would have been offered to Thoth, the god of wisdom.
    Ibis mummies were some of the most often donated in ancient Egypt. As many as two million ibis mummies were donated at Saqqara alone!
    Thanks!

Have information?

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bkmcollections@brooklynmuseum.org.