This limestone statuette is an image of a scribe who was also a priest in the Temple of Thoth at Hermopolis in the XIX Dynasty (1307-1196 BC). Thoth was the Egyptian god of writing and scribe to the gods. The figure carries a baboon, the sacred animal of Thoth and over his shoulders he wears a leopard skin. A satchel of implements is suspended from his belt, of a type which was associated with priests, astronomers and surveyors. He is carrying what may be a bag of writing equipment.

Purchased on the London market in 1961.