AN EGYPTIAN BRONZE FIGURE OF A BABOON, LATE PERIOD, 716-30 B.C. | An Egyptian Bronze Figure of a Baboon

standing on a rectangular base with his forepaws raised before him, with straight tail, thick deeply engraved mane, striated ruff, and deeply recessed nostrils.

Jean-Philippe Mariaud de Serres, Rue Saint-Anne, Paris, mid 1970s
New York Art Market
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Tautenhahn, Houston
New York Art Market
Sotheby's, New York, May 31, 1997, lot 39, illus.
acquired at the above sale by the current owner

Generally good and as shown in catalogue. Surface slightly worn, small areas of corrosion, especially on base, internal parts of legs, belly and mane. Small casting flow on proper left leg, another on the belly and a third one below the proper left cheek. Glued to its modern wood base.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

See Dorothea Arnold, "An Egyptian Bestiary", MMA Bulletin, vol. 52, no. 4, New York, 1995, p. 60. The author writes that: "As far back as Early Dynastic times the ancient Egyptians venerated the baboon as the 'great white one', which has been called a royal ancestor animal. Based on observations of the actual behavior of baboons, the Egyptians believed that these primates worshiped the sun god at sunrise with upraised arms or hands on their knees, postures that have been explained by primatologists as the animal's need to warm its body in the morning".