LATE PERIOD TO PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 664-30 B.C.

The ibis was considered a manifestation of Thoth, god of the moon, writing, wisdom and all intellectual activity. In the Late Period and Ptolemaic Period ibises were captured and bred in captivity throughout Egypt to be slaughtered, mummified, then sold as votive offerings to Thoth. The mummies were usually interred in simple vessels, but some were given ibis-form coffins.

The tail feathers of the present example retain the impression of a textile once wrapped around the form. The sculptor ingeniously positioned the body of the bird in the wood block so that the grain of the wood enhances the form of the bird, a hallmark of ancient carving.