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One of the most pivotal moments in an
individual's transition from life to eternal
existence in the afterlife was the judgment of
his or her soul. This event took place before
Osiris, the main deity of the afterlife, and a
group of other gods including forty-two divine
judges who assisted in the weighing of the heart
that tested the moral worth of the individual.
Among the other attendant gods were Thoth, shown
her as an ibis, who served as the scribe and
recorded the judgment of the deceased, and Maat,
shown here as a seated woman, who was the
incarnation of truth and cosmic order. This
statue group reflects the taste for
composite groups that emerged in the New Kingdom
(1550-1069 B.C.) and gained increasing favor in
the Late Period (664-332 B.C.). The most
poplular groupings incorporated a figure of a
god, very commonly Thoth in the form of an aop
or ibis, facing a devotee. Many of these statues
were donated to temples by individuals to
demonstrate their piety and devotion to the god.
This group has been attached to a rectangular
base that is carved with ankh and sa
signs to provide life and protection. The
function of the metal loop at the front of the
base is unknown. Late Period, c. 664-332 B.C.;
wood and bronze. Height 10-7/16 inches; Length
13-13/16 inches; Depth 4-1/8 inches. The
Egyptian Museum, Cairo |
