Egyptian Bone Cosmetic Spoon

With a thick and lustrous turquoise glaze, sporting a tripartite wig highlighted in darker blue glaze, and a long beard; holding a pick, hoe and a cord for a seed bag hanging over the left shoulder; raised dorsal pillar and an integral plinth; repaired. 44 grams, 11.5 cm high



Ex collection of Jacques René Fiechter, Switzerland (1920-1950). with Auction Martin, Egyptian Collection André Bircher, 1949. Accompanied by an academic report by Egyptologist Paul Whelan.

The lack of inscription hinders positive identification, but the shabti’s proportions, elegant modelling, and lustrous glaze closely match others considered to have come from an area of the extensive necropolis at Abydos, labelled “Cemetery G” by its excavator Flinders Petrie, where hundreds of blue lustrous-glazed shabtis of varying qualities were recovered. This figure is closest in style to those belonging to Petosiris, son of Djed-hor. Both were buried with similar blue lustrous-glazed shabtis that were mostly plain although a few were inscribed with an inscription.

Composed of three figures: a standing cow or other quadruped giving birth to its young, its head, neck and forelegs emerging from the mother's rear, both with a black and white speckled coat; a standing male figure with articulated arms and pierced hands, wearing a kilt and cropped wig and with stylised facial detailing; a kneeling figure also with articulated arms, open-palm hands, wearing a kilt and cropped wig, stylised facial features; extensive remains of polychrome pigment. 111 grams total, 9.5-16 cm



From an early 20th century Home Counties collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11597-199209.

Such models would have been deposited in tombs; the purpose of such a scene was probably to evoke the season of spring, when calves were born, and the floodplain where farmers lived and raised their livestock.

Modelled mummiform with arms crossed at the chest, holding crook and flail with highlighted features, wearing a plaited false beard and Atef crown mounted on two curved ram's horns, flanked by detailed ostrich feathers and frontal uraeus; natural facial detailing with silver inlaid eyes and large protruding ears; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 1.15 kg total, 31 cm high including stand



Norman Blankman collection, New York, 1960s. P.G. collection, New York, USA. with Art for Eternity, New York. with Bonhams, London, 6 July 2023, lot 360. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11945-210564.

Osiris was the foremost of ancient Egyptian funerary deities and lord of the underworld. Many statuettes of the god were offered in temples dedicated in his name, and have also been discovered in other contexts including animal necropoleis and temples dedicated to other gods.