Egyptian Gold Cobra Amulet

Steatite cylinder producing a decorative top and bottom border enclosing a scene depicting a nefer sign flanked by two falcons surmounting the hieroglyph for gold, nub, and another scene to the side depicting a scarab beetle with a double plumed sun disc above; with a suspension hole running through the cylinder's centre. 4.65 grams, 25 mm



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

Of mummiform type, wearing a tripartite wig and long plaited divine beard, with arms crossed and the left hand holding a pick, the right hand holding a hoe and the cord of a seed bag hanging over his left shoulder; with carefully rendered cosmetic lines around the eyes, narrow eyebrows, and slightly smiling lips giving it a serene expression characteristic of the finest ushabtis of the period; standing on an integral plinth from which a plain back pillar terminating at the base of the wig extends; nine horizontal rows of hieroglyphic inscription, the Sixth Chapter of the Book of the Dead; water worn. 246 grams, 19 cm



Acquired on the German art market, 1989-1995. with The Museum Gallery, 19 Bury Place, London, WC1, UK, 1998-2003. Property of a London based academic, 2003-present.

Shabti figures could serve as a representation of the deceased and paradoxically also as their servant to carry out arduous manual tasks in the afterlife on behalf of their master. Late Period shabtis were most frequently made of faience, such as this example. The body of a shabti was usually in the form of a mummy from the neck down, depicted with agricultural tools in their hands, such as picks, hoes, and baskets. Chapter 6 from the Book of the Dead, lists the tasks expected of the magical figure. By the Late Period, hundreds of shabtis were often provided for the burial.

Carved in the round with D-shaped base, carefully modelled hair and ears with beard absent, the right hand visible, not holding any work tools, the body has the appearance of a mummy entirely draped in a shroud with rather elongated proportions, the broad and rounded face with a slightly ‘smiling’ expression, framed by a tripartite hairstyle without stripes, which continues down the back and two lappets on the chest. 39 grams, 14.5 cm



Ex R. Liechti (1934-2010) Geneva, Switzerland, formed between 1950-1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12079-218221.