Is the Oscar statuette inspired by an Ancient Egyptian God?

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) director Cedric Gibbons designed a statuette of “a knight standing on a reel of film grasping a crusader’s sword,” according to The Academy.

Five spokes appear on the film reel, one for each of The Academy’s five original branches: actors, directors, producers, technicians, and writers.

While Gibbons’ original design changed throughout the course of the year, the sword and film reel stayed constant.

However, some have noted a likeness between the sculpture and the Ancient Egyptian god Ptah over the years.

Ptah is the Memphis demiurge, the deity of artisans and architects.

It was supposed that he existed before everything else and that he created the world with his thoughts. Ptah, unlike the Oscar statuette, is carrying a scepter, which is a symbolic decoration worn by a governing monarch.

Regardless, the resemblance between the two (as well as the goods they’re holding) is startling.

Everything about the two is the same, including their position. While The Academy claims that the prize is inspired by a knight, one can’t help but wonder whether Gibbons was influenced by the Ancient Egyptian god.