A Large Egyptian Bronze Figure of an Ichneumon, Sacred to the Sun God Atum, 26th/30th Dynasty, 664-342 B.C.

seated upright on its haunches on a stepped rectangular base, with ribbed and tufted tail curved around to the right hind paw, the front paws raised as if in prayer, a cobra surmounting his head, and with incised whiskers and finely striated markings on the forehead, the larger ear erect, the smaller ear laid back, a mummy probably once inserted into the body.

Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, December 1st, 1954, no. 81, illus.
Michel Abemayor, New York
Missouri Public Service Co., Raytown, Missouri, acquired from the above in 1959
acquired from the above by the present owner in the mid 1980s

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri, September 28th-November 15th, 1987

Very good. The surface is somewhat worn and there are a few small spots of bronze disease on the side of the base and under the left foreleg, two of them above slight cracks and a chip on the proper right side of the base (visible in photo)
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Cf. M. Hill with D. Schorsch, eds., Gifts from the Gods, Images from Egyptian Temples, New York, 2007, cat. no. 67, p. 58, fig. 67, a bronze in The Brooklyn Museum of a king standing before the same animal in a similar pose (here identified as an otter). Also compare G. Roeder, Ägyptische Bronzefiguren, Berlin, 1956, pl. 89,a-b (Louvre E.696), and G. Steindorff, Catalogue of Egyptian Sculpture in the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore, 1946, no. 680, for other ichneumons in this unusual pose.

For a discussion of the Egyptian mongoose, as well as the similar-looking otter and shrew, see P.F. Houlihan, The Animal World of the Pharaohs, London and New York, 1996, pp. 125-127.