Egyptian Carnelian Scarab

A slender standing figure of Osiris in iconic mummiform appearance, wearing the tall conical Atef crown with its flanking ostrich plumes, and central uraeus, holding the crook (heka) and flail (nekhakha) regalia; suspension loop on the reverse. 47.3 grams, 76 mm



Acquired on the UK art market in the 1970s. Private collection, UK.

Modelled in the round in a crouching pose on a rectangular base with an attachment peg. 145 grams, 73 mm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.

This figure most likely comes from a shrew coffin or votive statuette. The dwarf shrew (Crocidura nana) and Flower’s shrew (Crocidura floweri) were among many animal species buried in dedicated cemeteries across various parts of Egypt. Ironically, these tiny creatures symbolised Horus in his raptor-headed form — a figure who, in reality, would have preyed upon them. Shrews were associated with Khenty-irty, the “seeing-and-blind god,” due to their ability to navigate darkness. It may be possible to read the shrew’s symbolism as that of seeking light in darkness, representing the Egyptian belief in the deceased’s journey through the hours of the night before rebirth at dawn. Radiographic analysis of a bundle containing about twenty-one shrews shows that they were dried whole, with no evisceration, preserved by being ‘pickled’ in natron.

Modelled in the round with detailed head and legs, ellipsoid plaque, longitudinal piercing. 3.3 grams, 18 mm



Ex Belinda Elliston collection, a member of the Egyptian Exploration Society, 1940s onwards.