Phoenix Ancient Art S.A.

The statuette, molded in light blue frit of uniform and slightly crumbly aspect, is in good condition but the hands (or claws) and the lower legs are lost; the attribute soldered to the belly is also missing. A grayish patina partially covers the surface.

It represents Thoeris (or Taweret = "the great") a female divinity of composite form that stands on her hind legs and probably stepped forward on her left leg. Her frightening body is composed of the head and pregnant abdomen of a hippopotamus, lion’s legs, and the back and tail of a crocodile. As for her appearance, only the tripartite hairstyle and the full, pendulous breasts refer to a human being. The arms are outstretched alongside the body to the belly, where the goddess probably held her usual attribute, the sa symbol of protection. On her head, she wears a small cylindrical modius whose edge is lightly chipped: this could mean that the headgear of this Thoeris was completed by a horned solar disc as an expression of her divine origin; her chest is adorned with a finely crafted necklace, featuring three rows of small beads.

The cult of Thoeris, which was already widespread during the Old Kingdom, became very popular from the Third Intermediate Period, when statuettes-amulets and pendants were produced in large numbers. But the remarkable artistic quality of this example places it apart from the mass production: despite some wear on the surface, the detailed and beautiful shapes, perfectly modeled and rounded, as well as the incisions and the precise, sure-handed engravings are clearly visible. The head with its strong bone structure, the mouth ajar to reveal the tusks; the pointed ears and the deep sockets (the eyes were probably inlaid); the central part of the back with the bones and scales that reproduce a crocodile's skin; the striped wig ending in ribbons are all elements which confirm the high quality of the work and enable us to relate it to the best known figurines of Thoeris, like the specimen in the Louvre, for instance.

In Egyptian beliefs, Thoeris assimilates and synthesizes the threatening properties of three common and very dangerous animals of ancient Egypt, and turns them into positive symbols of protection for men: she primarily assists women in labor and those who have just given birth, dispelling evil from them; she then acts like a nurse who cares for the newborn and places him / her under her protection, especially in ensuring that there is sufficient mother's milk. As with Bes, the guardian spirit with the appearance of a dwarf, the numerous statuettes /amulets of Thoeris have an apotropaic function.

Iconographically, the representation of the udder also reflects the role of fecundity deity attributed to this goddess.

Published in: Egypt, Eender en Anders, Allard Pierson Museum, Amsterdam, 1984, p. 132, n. 302.

Bibliography:

ADAMS D. N. et al., When Orpheus Sang, An Ancient Bestiary, Paris, pp. 116-117, n. 118-119.

CAUBET A. et al. (ed.), Faïences de l'Antiquité, de l'Egypte à l'Iran, Paris, 2007, p. 144, n. 389 (Louvre).

Reflets du divin, Antiquités pharaoniques et classiques d'une collection privée, Geneva, 2002, p. 109, n. 97-98.

On Thoeris:

WILKINSON R.H., The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt, London, 2003, pp. 185-186.