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LOT 0004
Egyptian Limestone Miniature Obelisk with Hieroglyphs
LATE PERIOD, 664-332 B.C.
8 1/4 in. (444 grams total, 21 cm high).
With tapering sides and pointed top, incised vertical column of hieroglyphic text to one face: ẖry-ḥbt ḳbḥ ḥtp mr-mšꜥ imn, ''lector-priest' (give) purified offering (to the) general of the army (of) Amun'; mounted on a custom-made stand.
ProvenanceAcquired in Egypt in the early 20th century.
Private collection of Mr T.H., Norfolk, UK.
Cf. similar in the collection of the British Museum under accession no.EA495.
FootnotesIn ancient Egypt, it was common for small obelisks like this one to be placed on either side of the entrance to private tombs. Typically inscribed on one side only, these obelisks held great solar religious significance and were closely associated with the cult of the sun-god Re. They symbolised the ancient Egyptians' belief in the rebirth of the deceased, with the moment of revivification being characterised by the individual's face being illuminated by the rays of the rising sun. It was said that, at that moment, the deceased was able to "open their sight to see the sun-god," as one religious text explains.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0004
Egyptian Limestone Miniature Obelisk with Hieroglyphs
Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,460
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Egyptian Amulet Collection
New Kingdom-Late Period, 1550-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,080
Comprising: white rectangular bead with Tilapia fish in high-relief and two cobras flanking a hem ideogram; turquoise frog on heater-shaped base with serpent to the underside; green scaraboid with wedjat to the carapace, Hathor sistrum with cow's horns to the underside; green ram-headed scaraboid with hieroglyphs to the underside; green cylinder with scarab motif; green wedjat with a cartouche of Thutmose III to the reverse; green rectangular bead with djed pillar flanked by ostrich feathers and incuse hieroglyphs to the reverse. 14.3 grams total, 14-27 mm
Two amulets with Bonhams, London, Knightsbridge, UK, 3 October 2000, lot 385 [Part]. Private Swiss collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11593-198956. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages. -
Egyptian Wooden Tomb Servant
Middle Kingdom, late 11th-early 12th Dynasty, 2010-1961 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,040
Carved in the round with separate articulated arms, painted facial details and wearing a short linen kilt; slightly bent posture, feet pegged to a rectangular base; wooden implement for beating flax in the left hand. 140 grams, 23 cm high
From an early 20th century collection. Ex UK collection. Ex Ancient Art, London N14, UK. Private collection of Mr T.H., Norfolk, UK. Accompanied by a previous dealer's certificate of authenticity. -
Egyptian Blue Faience Shabti
Early Ptolemaic Period, circa 3rd century B.C.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £400
With a thick and lustrous turquoise glaze, sporting a tripartite wig highlighted in darker blue glaze, and a long beard; holding a pick, hoe and a cord for a seed bag hanging over the left shoulder; raised dorsal pillar and an integral plinth; repaired. 44 grams, 11.5 cm high
Ex collection of Jacques René Fiechter, Switzerland (1920-1950). with Auction Martin, Egyptian Collection André Bircher, 1949. Accompanied by an academic report by Egyptologist Paul Whelan.
The lack of inscription hinders positive identification, but the shabti’s proportions, elegant modelling, and lustrous glaze closely match others considered to have come from an area of the extensive necropolis at Abydos, labelled “Cemetery G” by its excavator Flinders Petrie, where hundreds of blue lustrous-glazed shabtis of varying qualities were recovered. This figure is closest in style to those belonging to Petosiris, son of Djed-hor. Both were buried with similar blue lustrous-glazed shabtis that were mostly plain although a few were inscribed with an inscription.
