Egyptian Blue and Ochre Faience Shabti

Conical in profile with a wide base and a shallow interior hollow; inscription in a darker blue glaze, consisting of a single line of demotic-script text. 57 grams, 62 mm



Mariaud de Serres, Drouot, Paris, 1999. with Christie’s, New York, 5-6 December 2001, no.354. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Christie's catalogue pages.

Demotic script was an ancient Egyptian writing system that was used from approximately the 7th century B.C. to the 4th century A.D. It represented a more simplified and cursive form of writing compared to hieroglyphs and hieratic script. Demotic text was employed for a wide range of purposes in ancient Egypt, including administrative, legal, religious, and literary documents. Deciphering Demotic has played a pivotal role in enhancing our understanding of ancient Egyptian culture, history, and everyday life.

Ellipsoid in plan with frieze comprising a large Maat feather, a winged sun disc, and a winged Khepri beetle. 13 grams, 27 mm



Ex collection of the late Mr S. M., London, UK, 1970-1990s.

Head and torso of a mummiform figure, wearing a tripartite wig and divine beard, with arms crossed and hands holding agricultural implements and a cord for a seed bag over the left shoulder, three horizontal bands of hieroglyphic inscriptions to the lower body; mounted on a wooden display stand. 86 grams, 12.5 cm including stand



From a Scottish gentleman’s collection, Glasgow, formed from the early 2000s.

The owner's name is poorly preserved, although the filiation that follows may read: "...born (to) Djed-mut-ies-ankh" (ms ḏd mwt ı͗w s Ꜥnḫ).