LOT 0061

Egyptian Basalt Bassinophore Fragments for the Customs Official Wahibre, son of Paeftchawy

LATE PERIOD, 26TH DYNASTY, REIGN OF AMASIS, CIRCA 570-525 B.C.

15 3/4, 18 1/2 - 22 7/8 in. (107.7 kg total, figure: 40 cm high, fragments: 47-58 cm wide including stand).

Modelled in the round kneeling on an integral base and wearing a broad rounded wig, holding a fragmentary offering basin before him; dorsal pillar engraved with a single vertical column of hieroglyphs, translating: 'The Count, Overseer of the Entrance to the Hill Countries, Chief Supervisor of the Shrines [of Neith], Wahibre, son of Paeftchawy'; upper rim of the basin further inscribed with a ritual formula intended to be recited during the presentation of its contents. [3]

For the two basalt sections: UK private collection, formed 1970s-1990s.
Princely collection, until 2014; thence to a private foundation.
Acquired by the current owner from Rupert Wace, London, UK.

For the kneeling basalt figure: European private collection, since the mid-19th century.
Sold at Christie’s, New York, 8 June 2001, no.114.
Sold at Drouot-Richelieu, Paris (Boisgirard), 14 February 2005, no.313.
European private collection, acquired at the above sale; thence by descent to the previous owners.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13193-250115.

Comparable examples include a block statue in the Louvre (see Louvre A 91) and a kneeling naophorous figure in the British Museum (see British Museum EA 111); for a related, earlier libation basin combining a kneeling figure on one side and a Hathor head on the other, see the New Kingdom example at the Glencairn Museum in the Glencairn's Bird Room.

The figure on this vessel represents the customs official Wahibre, son of Paeftchawy, a well-attested individual known from at least fourteen other sculptures. Additional evidence for Wahibre’s identity is provided by a fragment of his mummiform sarcophagus, found at el-Hagar, within the territory of his native city of Sais. The titles inscribed on his surviving monuments reflect a career that combined priestly responsibilities with significant administrative and military authority. In southern Egypt, Wahibre served as chief customs officer and commanded a contingent of foreign troops tasked with protecting the frontier, probably Greek mercenaries from Caria.