Egyptian Clay Shabti and Babylonian Head Group

Fragment of a statue of an official, comprising the torso and legs clad in an ankle-length robe and seated on a rectangular-section seat with stepped base and short, curved backrest and rear dorsal pillar; the left hand carved with the hand palm-downwards placed flat along the thigh; the right hand similarly placed but with the hand gripping a folded piece of cloth of which the ends are draped over the lower thigh above the knee; traces of an old label to reverse. 4.1 kg, 18.7 cm



Private collection, Europe. with Bonham's & Brooks, 8th November 2001, no.265. Private collection, Europe. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Bonham's & Brooks catalogue pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12584-232097. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

The official would have been shown wearing a longer cloak-like garment rather than a waist-height kilt, as the line of the folded edge is visible above where a waistband would typically be.

Lapis lazuli, carnelian, and schist (?) menat amulets, each with a distinctive keyhole shape and broad ribbed bale. 5.38 grams total, 20-22 mm



From a private collection acquired by the previous owner's father in the 1950s. Ex TimesAncient, Bristol, UK. Accompanied by a copy of a previous catalogue entry. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

The menat was a counterpoise that hung at the back of a heavy ornamental collar and was closely associated with the goddess Hathor. Amulets representing the counterpoise were thought to bring good luck, protect against evil spirits, and safeguard the wearer in the afterlife. Their Hathoric connection symbolised fertility and good health for women while representing virility for men.

Mixed group, mainly decorative elements (clavi, orbiculi, tabulae) from various tunics made in late Antiquity; decoration partly figural (animals and mythical hybrid creatures, mostly in a separate tondo or panel) and partly ornamental (interlace patterns, lozenges, pomegranate borders, chevrons, heart-shaped leaves). 450 grams total, 12.5-65.5 cm



with Christie's London, 27 April 1976, no.91 & 92. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00136676. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.