Egyptian Limestone Figural Temple Relief

Spheroid wooden flask and stopper; the outer face with incised alternating bands of radiating triangles and hatching, the equator with frieze of perching birds and a hatched sunburst to the underside; turned hollow wooden stopper with carinated profile and flanges. 11 grams, 74 mm



Ex family collection since the 1950s. Property of an East Sussex, UK, teacher.

The vessel is a version in lathe-turned wood of a type known to have been produced in glass.

The obverse with a scene of Anubis recumbent on a pylon-shaped shrine with a standing sceptre in front; the reverse painted with a djed pillar flanked by two knots of Isis, remains of polychrome painted pigment; three piercings to both sides of the top; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 71 grams, 85 mm wide (223 grams total, 10.5 cm including stand)

Fine condition.

From an early 20th century collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11104-182800.

Pectorals worn by the living were made from metal, usually gold; for the dead, glazed composition was an acceptable substitute, indicating the funerary nature of such objects. Circular piercings have been made through the cavetto cornice, enabling the piece to be stitched to the bandages covering a mummy's chest. The shape of the pectoral imitates that of a pylon, the rectangular tower which flanked the gateway into an Egyptian temple. The cavetto cornice is decorated with a winged and gilded sun-disk. All four sides are adorned with a block pattern. A jackal reclining on a pylon-shaped shrine represents Anubis, god of embalming. He has a magical tie or scarf around his neck and is shown with a flagellum. Such imagery is found in New Kingdom tombs at Thebes. In front of the shrine is the sekhem sceptre of power. The reverse depicts a djed pillar, believed to represent the backbone with ribs of Osiris, god of the dead, flanked by the Girdle of Isis or 'tit' amulet. Both were standard funerary amulets.

Carved with semi-naturalistic anatomical detailing and engraved with hieroglyphs to the base; pierced for suspension. 7.14 grams, 24 mm



Collected since the 1970s. Ex Everitt collection, acquired by descent 2017.