Statue of Ibis with a Priest

Bronze votives in the form of figurines of gods, men, and animals were popular temple gifts in the First Millennium Egypt. This example depicts a priest standing before an ibis, sacred bird of Thoth. The priest has a shaven head and wears a long robe. 

This bronze statue may have been offered in the temple of Thoth at Hermopolis or one of the numerous sites sacred to this god. The cult of Thoth, god of learning, wisdom, medicine, and writing was popular in pharaonic Egypt. The wooden base is original.

Late Period to Ptolemaic Period, ca. 332-30 BC. Now in the Worcester Art Museum, Massachusetts. 1947.8