<em>Cynocephalus Baboon (Thoth)</em>, 664–343 B.C.E. Bronze, 2 3/8 x 3/4 x 1 3/8 in., 0.3 lb. (6 x 1.9 x 3.5 cm, 0.14kg). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 08.480.41. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.08.480.41_view1.jpg)

Cynocephalus Baboon (Thoth), 664–343 B.C.E. Bronze, 2 3/8 x 3/4 x 1 3/8 in., 0.3 lb. (6 x 1.9 x 3.5 cm, 0.14kg). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 08.480.41. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.08.480.41_view1.jpg)

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What is a cynocephalus baboon?

It's a type of baboon found in Africa. Cynocephalus refers to the shape of the baboon's head, which appears like a dog's head.

The baboon species P. cynocephalus was actually not native to Egypt, but found farther south, further up the Nile, so they were imported! However, cynocephalus baboons are widely found in ancient Egyptian iconography, sacred to the god Thoth and messengers to the gods.

What did baboons represent?

Because baboons raise their arms every morning to warm their bodies with the light of the sun, and they shout at dawn as if to greet the sun, they are associated with the sun god, Re. They were also associated with Thoth, the god of wisdom, because they were understood as very intelligent animals. Their sometimes aggressive nature led them to be seen as guardians as well.

Tell me more.

This baboon, a type native to Egypt, would have been a sacred figure associated with the god of wisdom, Thoth. Baboons were also seen as particularly effective messengers to Thoth.

Cynocephalus Baboon (Thoth)

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

MEDIUM Bronze

Place Made: Egypt

DATES 664–343 B.C.E.

DYNASTY Dynasty 26 to Dynasty 30

PERIOD Late Period

DIMENSIONS 2 3/8 x 3/4 x 1 3/8 in., 0.3 lb. (6 x 1.9 x 3.5 cm, 0.14kg) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 08.480.41

CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Small bronze statuette of a seated cynocephalus ape. Conventional type with hands resting on knees. Headdress cannot be identified because of condition. No inscription. Condition: Poor. Entire surface badly worn and corroded. Headdress broken. Some improvement can be obtained by cleaning. Cast solid in two part mould.

EXHIBITIONS

Soulful Creatures: Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Cynocephalus Baboon (Thoth), 664–343 B.C.E. Bronze, 2 3/8 x 3/4 x 1 3/8 in., 0.3 lb. (6 x 1.9 x 3.5 cm, 0.14kg). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 08.480.41. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.08.480.41_view1.jpg)

IMAGE overall, CUR.08.480.41_view1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2010

"CUR" at the beginning of an image file name means that the image was created by a curatorial staff member. These study images may be digital point-and-shoot photographs, when we don\'t yet have high-quality studio photography, or they may be scans of older negatives, slides, or photographic prints, providing historical documentation of the object.

RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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