Statuette of the god Anubis as embalmer, Ptolemaic Period, ca. 332–30 B.C.
Egyptian
Wood with gesso and paint; H. 16 1/2 in. (42 cm)
Gift of Mrs. Myron C. Taylor, 1938 (38.5)
Technical Glossary
Egyptian
Wood with gesso and paint; H. 16 1/2 in. (42 cm)
Gift of Mrs. Myron C. Taylor, 1938 (38.5)
This wooden figure represents the god Anubis with a canid head on a human body, wearing the feathered costume of Egyptian deities. In this pose—hands raised, palms downward—the god performed purification and transfiguration rites over a mummy. During the actual mummification process, a priest wearing a canid mask played the role of Anubis.
Open full-size image
Related Index Terms
Geography/Place
Material and Technique
- • Sculpture, In the Round, Africa
- • Sculpture, In the Round, Africa, Egypt and Western North Africa
- • Wood, organized by technique
- • Wood, organized by technique, Carved
- • Wood, organized by technique, Gessoed
- • Wood, Sculpture in the Round
Subject Matter/Theme
- • Animal
- • Animal, Canine
- • Figure, Deity
- • Figure, Deity, Egyptian
- • Figure, Deity, Egyptian, Anubis
- • Funerary Art
- • Funerary Art, Africa (including Egypt)
