The symbol of MYTHIX is “Falcroc” – a mighty sun god of ancient Egypt. Falcroc is a composite animal deity who embodies the most powerful creatures of sea and sky: the Nile Crocodile and the falcon. He is worshipped by four baboons – among the most intelligent creatures of land. The ancient Egyptians associated baboons with sun worship because baboons love to bask in the morning sun. A fantastically powerful animal god, Falcroc protects all animals, on behalf of MYTHIX.

This ancient Egyptian mythical creature possesses the head of a falcon and the body of a crocodile – and its image is exceedingly rare. The best known example is the green stone sculpture (shown here) donated by MYTHIX founder Peter Gottesman to The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The sculpture is carved from a mysterious semiprecious stone – which has not been precisely identified. The pale green carving dates from 332-30 B.C., and has four baboons carved into its base who are worshipping the falcon-headed sun god above (note the arms raised in worship pose).

Such a painstakingly-carved, large sacred object of unusually-colored hard-stone would have been extremely valuable even in ancient Egypt – and was perhaps owned by a high priest or local ruler. A tiny hole carved atop its head suggests the creature may once have been crowned with a golden solar-disc, and golden decorations cascading down its crocodile spine were perhaps held by the similar carved hole atop its back. Two additional tiny holes at the front of the base, between the creature’s hands, perhaps held shining golden serpents.

The sculpture may be viewed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and forms part of the Museum’s renowned permanent collection of Egyptian art. A century ago, the sculpture belonged to a French countess who was a celebrated collector of ancient art, known for her exquisite eye: Martine, La Comtesse de Béhague of Paris. The work was sold at Sotheby’s, Monaco, on December 5, 1987, at the well-known “Béhague Sale” of her collection. At the age of 24, MYTHIX founder Peter Gottesman purchased the animal sculpture from a famed Egyptologist in London, affiliated with the British Museum. He brought the sculpture to New York – where he donated it to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in memory of his late father, George H. Gottesman.

Peter Gottesman has donated four ancient Egyptian animal god sculptures of semiprecious stone and gold to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s permanent collection, from the New Kingdom, Late Period, and Ptolemaic Era, all of which are on display.