Egyptian Faience Mummy Bead Bracelet

Ellipsoid plaque with folded lateral arms and ribbed suspension loop above; the underside decorated with a depiction of a lion attacking a man or animal. 22 grams, 36 mm



London gentleman's collection, 1970-1990s, by descent.

Larger portion of a tunic with decorative strips (clavi) ending with circular decorations (orbiculi), and central orbiculus in red, green and yellow wool, S-twist tapestry, decorated with Nilotic scenes including plants, animals, possibly human figures. 59 grams total including paper folder, 32.5 cm



Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.

Among the many fragments of wool tunics, there are several long strips that match to form nearly full-length central pectoral clavi and orbiculi. They are patterned with a profusion of small figures or interlaced abstract designs, birds, plants and animals, with a contrasting border filled with geometric motifs.

Typical mummiform type wearing a lappet wig, with arms crossed and hands holding agricultural implements; uninscribed; mounted on a custom-made stand marked 'Ushabti of Pe-du-asar Persian period'. 41.3 grams total, 99 mm



Acquired Church Street, 14th December 1957, for 10 shillings. From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s. Accompanied by an old handwritten information card by Peter Clayton, collection no.6.

The 'Pe-du-asar' on the label likely refers to the individual whose burial Flinders Petrie discovered at Abydos in 1902, which contained many blue-glazed, uninscribed shabtis. However, his shabtis have different hand positions and a glassier, often bichrome, glaze, suggesting that this example comes from a different burial.