Thoth

Inlay depicting Thoth as the ibis with a maat feather

Period:Late Period–Ptolemaic PeriodDate:4th century B.C.Geography:From Egypt; Possibly from Middle Egypt, Hermopolis (Ashmunein; Khemenu)Medium:FaienceDimensions:H. 15.5 cm (6 1/8 in.); W. 1 cm (3/8 in.); L. 15.6 cm (6 1/8 in.)Credit Line:Purchase, Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1926Accession Number:26.7.992

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 134

This exquisite piece of inlay from a shrine shows Thoth, god of writing and all things intellectual, as an ibis walking atop a standard. Its beak is supported by a feather—the symbol of Maat, goddess of justice and closely associated with Thoth. The artist beautifully captured the halting stride of the bird, which seems to be considering its every step.

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