Egyptian Mounted Coptic Orbiculus Textile Fragment

Characteristic mummiform figure for the Divine Adoratrice Karomama Meritmut G, wearing a bag-like khat headcloth fronted by a uraeus, and a trailing flap at the back, with opposed hands each holding a hoe; faint traces of an inscription on the lower front are illegible; and another small blue-olive-green mummiform shabti of late New Kingdom date wearing a lappet wig with opposed (not crossed) hands holding agricultural implements, details in black; a partially preserved column of hieroglyphic text on the lower body, reading: 'The Osiris, Wenis...'; on a wooden display stand. 167 grams total, 10.9-13.7 cm



The smaller one acquired Caledonian Market, 16th March 1962 for 5 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.94.

The tomb of Karomama Meritmut G was discovered in the 19th century within the mortuary temple complex of Ramesses II, known as the Ramesseum, at Thebes. She was buried with kilted overseer ushabtis and mummiform worker figurines such as this one. Although its inscription is illegible, other preserved examples (such as British Museum EA74324) suggest it almost certainly read: 'The Osiris, the Divine Adoratrice of Amun, Karomama, beloved of Mut'.

Stylised scarab body with low-relief clypeus and head, two notches marking the division between prothorax and elytra, and legs modelled along the sides; underside divided vertically into two panels with incised hieroglyphs reading: 'Seal-bearer of the King of Lower Egypt, Overseer of the Treasury, Har'. 4.54 grams, 22 mm



Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent. Accompanied by the collector's original inked images.

With characteristic sidelock and two tufts of hair on his forehead, here rendered as rectangular blocks of hatching; mounted on a custom-made stand. 36 grams total, 64 mm high including stand



Ex Friedrich Hofmann, Berlin, before 1939; thence by descent.