Statue of Thoth, Egypt, 1500-100 BCE
- Made:
- 1500-100 BCE in Egypt
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Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
License
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Pale blue faience statuette of Thoth, Egyptian, 1500BC-100CB
Thoth was an ancient Egyptian god credited with the invention of hieroglyphics. He was also god of the Moon and of learning and patron of physicians. Thoth was physician to the gods and cured Horus when he was bitten by a scorpion. He is shown as an ibis – a type of bird – or as an ibis-headed man. The ancient Egyptians believed that while illness and disease were natural events, they also had supernatural causes, which were controlled by the gods. Prevention and treatment of illness and disease therefore included prayers at home to statues of gods like this one.
Details
- Category:
- Classical & Medieval Medicine
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A634865
- Materials:
- earthenware and faience
- type:
- statue
- taxonomy:
-
- visual and verbal communication
- sculpture
- credit:
- Sotheby's
