Egyptian Black Stone Scarab

Bastet in squatting pose, ears pricked and alert with her tail wrapped close to right side of her body, two short lugs beneath for attachment to a separate base, and a suspension loop behind the shoulders. 74 grams, 87 mm



Acquired on the UK art market, 1990s. Private collection, New York, USA.

Modelled with a rounded wig and sidelock; painted black detailing to the eyes, lips, collar and agricultural tools held in the crossed hands; painted vertical panel to lower body with hieroglyphic legend “The illuminated one, the Osiris, the sem priest, the great director of craftsmen, Hor, justified” (sḥḏ wsı͗r sm wr ḫrp(w) ḥmw(w)t ḥr mꜣꜥ-ḫrw); repaired. 146 grams, 13.8 cm



Acquired on the UK art market, 1990s. Private collection, New York, USA.

Although the inscription names the owner as Hor, it seems likely that this shabti was made for a high official named Hori. Several sem priests named Hori are known. It seems plausible that this shabti belonged to the Hori who was the son of Prince Khaemwaset, son of Ramesses II, since a similar example was found alongside those of the prince in a chamber in the Serapeum (Mariette, A., Le Sérapéum du Memphis, Paris, 1857, pl. 10).

Proof etching on laid paper of plate 52 from Vol.I of Description de l'Égypte : ou, Recueil des observations et des recherches qui ont été faites en Égypte pendant l'expédition de l'armée française, titled Edfou (Apollinopolis Magna) Coupe et élévation intérieure du pylône du grand temple. 230 grams, 105.5 x 69 cm



From the collection of a North American priest. Acquired between 1981-1996. Property of a North American collector.

Produced between February 1802 and 1830 on the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte; published between 1809 and 1828. Just 1,000 copies were distributed to various institutions, printed on laid paper with an 'Égypte ancienne et moderne' watermark. The book is subtitled Recueil des observations et des recherches qui ont été faites en Égypte pendant l’expédition de l’Armée française, publié par les ordres de Sa Majesté l’Empereur Napoléon le Grand (Gathering of observations and discoveries which were made in Egypt during the expedition of the French army, published on the orders of His Majesty the Emperor Napoleon the Great). It was the world's first encyclopedia devoted exclusively to the remains of ancient Egypt. The plates of this book are the first to present the archaeological sites of Thebes (Luxor). The temple at Edfu in Upper Egypt is dedicated to Horus and was built during the Ptolemaic Period. It remains one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt.