Egyptian Blue Glass Inlay Collection

With moulded facial features, tripartite wig, agricultural tools in the crossed hands and a seed-bag to the left shoulder; dorsal pillar; vertical panel to lower body with impressed hieroglyphic inscription: 'The illuminated one, the Osiris, the Controller of the Estates.... (sḥḏ wsı͗r ḫrp-ḥwwt....); lower legs absent. 56.3 grams, 95 mm



From the private collection of a Canadian gentleman living in Essex, UK, formed since the 1920s-circa 1990. Property of an Essex lady until the late 1990s; thence by descent. From the private collection of an Essex gentleman since the late 1990s.

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. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13430-225467.

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).

Depicted nude in an advancing pose; silver inlaid eyes, braided sidelock of youth; left hand by his side, drilled to accept a separate element, the other outstretched at a right angle to his body, holding a tapering cylindrical staff, not belonging; he may originally have held a sistrum, an ancient Egyptian percussion instrument, or a menat, both closely associated with the goddess Hathor; here, Ihy wears the Pschent crown with remains of uraeus, and an inlaid gold necklace suspended with an ib pendant around his neck; finely detailed facial features, with engraved Nekhbet vulture with outspread wings at the back of the crown; integral lugs on soles of feet; mounted on a custom-made stand. 899 grams total, 25 cm including stand



From the Singer family collection, Germany, acquired circa 1962. with A.A.L., Geneva, 1980. with Christie's, London, 25 April 2015, no.163 [£50,000-£70,000]. Private collection, London, UK. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Christie's catalogue pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13309-258229.

Ihy was an Egyptian god associated with music, joy, and ritual celebrations, particularly as the divine child of Hathor and of Horus or Ra. He is typically depicted as a youthful figure, often naked or lightly clothed, wearing a sidelock of youth and carrying a sistrum or menat, both percussion instruments closely connected with ritual performances in Hathor's cult, especially at the temples of Dendera and Edfu. His name is generally understood to mean 'the musician' or 'the one who plays music,' although it may also mean 'calf', a reference to his relationship with the cow-goddess Hathor. Bronze statuettes of Ihy, such as this example, were probably produced as votive offerings dedicated in temples, especially those devoted to Hathor. Worshippers may have commissioned such figures in the hope of obtaining divine favour, protection, fertility, healing, or participation in the blessings linked with music and festivity. Some examples may also have served as cult images used in temple ceremonies or as protective objects placed in domestic or funerary settings.