Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History, Stamps & Coins

Cream-coloured ceramic vessel fragment with rolled rim and ribbed strap handle; stamped at the apex with 'I EP' monogram, reading 'I EP[ΜΕΡΟΣ] = Hermeros. 272 grams, 14.2 cm



From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s.

The commercial stamp could report the name of an important Romano-Egyptian businessman, Hermeros, son of Athenion, attested at Koptos in A.D. 57. He describes himself as a merchant (εμπορος), originating from Adana (Arabia) and selling wine.

Characteristic mummiform figure for the Divine Adoratrice Karomama Meritmut G, wearing a bag-like khat headcloth fronted by a uraeus, and a trailing flap at the back, with opposed hands each holding a hoe; faint traces of an inscription on the lower front are illegible; and another small blue-olive-green mummiform shabti of late New Kingdom date wearing a lappet wig with opposed (not crossed) hands holding agricultural implements, details in black; a partially preserved column of hieroglyphic text on the lower body, reading: 'The Osiris, Wenis...'; on a wooden display stand. 167 grams total, 10.9-13.7 cm



The smaller one acquired Caledonian Market, 16th March 1962 for 5 shillings. From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s. Accompanied by an old handwritten information card by Peter Clayton, collection no.94.

The tomb of Karomama Meritmut G was discovered in the 19th century within the mortuary temple complex of Ramesses II, known as the Ramesseum, at Thebes. She was buried with kilted overseer ushabtis and mummiform worker figurines such as this one. Although its inscription is illegible, other preserved examples (such as British Museum EA74324) suggest it almost certainly read: 'The Osiris, the Divine Adoratrice of Amun, Karomama, beloved of Mut'.

An amulet featuring a crocodile with its tail curled, resting on a long, rectangular plinth; the reptile's scales are finely rendered, with an integral suspension hole beneath its chin. 3.07 grams, 41 mm



From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s.

Although crocodiles were fearsome creatures, the Egyptian crocodile god Sobek was a benevolent god of water, fertility and rebirth in the afterlife.

Carved as an avian head with a discoid base to accept the rim of the canopic jar; old handwritten collector's note attached to the back of the head 'Found in rubble, literally tripped over, in tombs on West Bank, March 1963, group with Dr Veronica Seton-Williams'; old collector's card: 'Lid of hawk headed canopic jar. Duamutef (sic), guardian of the lungs and deity of the east in their general arrangement to the cardinal [?]. Made of white limestone, the right hand side much damaged...'; chipped. 2.74 kg, 14.6 cm wide



From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s. Accompanied by an old handwritten identification card written by Peter Clayton.

The Four Sons of Horus safeguarded the deceased's internal organs. The human-headed Imsety protected the liver; the baboon-headed Hapy, the lungs; the jackal-headed Duamutef, the stomach; and the falcon-headed Qebehsenuef, the intestines. They often placed the viscera in canopic jars with the head of the respective Son of Horus.

Each of curved profile with broad cutting edge; old inked findspots 'Desert W. of Thebes 1912' (2 examples), 'W. of Thebes 1912' (2 examples), 'W. Thebes 1912'. 279 grams total, 10.6-14.3 cm



Found in the desert west of Thebes, Egypt, 1912. From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s.

Almost complete funerary cone of typical tapering form, with the circular flat end impressed with two unbordered horizontal lines of hieroglyphic text, reading: "The Osiris, corn measurer of Amun, Hat (or Hat-Amun)". 365 grams, 16 cm



Acquired from Abdoul Rassoul on the West Bank at Luxor, 1974-1980 when a guest lecturer. From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s.

This individual's tomb remains unknown.

Comprising nine shallow discoid dishes with rounded rims. 125 grams total, 35-50 mm



From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s.

Typical nude, bandy-legged figure wearing a beaded collar, with a suspension loop at the back of the head. 5.7 grams, 39 mm



From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s.

Two mummiform figures, produced from the same mould, wearing lappet wigs, with arms crossed and hands holding agricultural implements; illegible hieroglyphic text on the lower body; display stand marked 'Ushabti Palestinian 1000-800 B.C.'. 120 grams total, 11.5-11.6 cm



Acquired near the British Museum, circa 1949, at 3 shillings each. From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s. Accompanied by an old handwritten information card by Peter Clayton, collection nos.7,7a.

Moulded in the half-round with fine facial detailing. 35.4 grams, 62 mm



Acquired 21st March 1965. From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s. Accompanied by an old handwritten information card by Peter Clayton, collection no.109.

The lower legs and feet are preserved, bearing a portion of the central frontal column of inscription in black, with the sign of royalty followed by a cartouche containing a sun disc with a seated divinity beneath, wearing a feather headdress; below the cartouche are the two signs meaning 'true of voice'. 35 grams, 50 mm



From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s.

An intriguing fragment. The brilliant blue colour suggests shabtis for Seti I, although the cartouche lacks the men sign that would correctly spell his name. It seems possible that this was an artisan's mistake - after all, Seti I was buried with at least 700 shabtis.

Tubular type with an everted rounded rim; old dealer's note 'Alabaster cylindrical storage vessel, semi-translucent and with veining. Small abrasion to outturned flattened rim. Probably alabaster quarries at Hatnub, to north of el-Amarna. Egypt, early Dynastic, Vth-VIth Dynasties, c.2300-2100 BC. Bought Spitalfields Market, Thursday 12/1/19'. 508 grams, 11.8 cm



From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s.