Egyptian Speckled Black and White Breccia Polished Macehead

Irregular fragment with one dressed face carved with rays of Aten and other detailing. 299 grams, 87 mm



Acquired in April 1980. 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.148.

Scenes depicting Akhenaten and family members often included the prominent Aten sun disc with radiating rays ending in human hands. This fragment appears to show the lower-right side of the disc, with a faint trace of a possible uraeus - typically seen at the bottom centre of the Aten disc.

Complete funerary cone with a long tapering form, the circular flat end impressed with four rows of hieroglyphic text, reading: 'Honoured before Osiris, fourth god’s servant (of) Amun, Montuemhat, true of voice, his wife, his beloved, king’s acquaintance, lady of the house, Shepenmut, true of voice'. 1.41 kg total, 27 cm wide including stand



Acquired from Abdoul Rassoul on the West Bank at Luxor, 1974-1980 when a guest lecturer. From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s.

Montuemhat, Mayor of Thebes and Governor of Upper Egypt, was possibly the most powerful official of his era in southern Egypt. He built one of the largest and most lavishly decorated nonroyal tombs known (TT34), which still dominates the Asasif landscape today. Shepenmut was Montuemhat's second wife.

Modelled in the round, standing erect and wearing a long, tight-fitting garment, with hands emerging from openings to hold the nekhakha flail and heka crook; on his head is an atef crown, consisting of the white crown with lateral feathers, ram's horns and a uraeus; below his chin extends a braided false beard, supported behind with a short tab; the eye sockets inlaid with glass; mounted on a custom-made stand. 3.76 kg total, 41.5 cm high including stand



From an old Japanese private collection formed in the 1970s. Mr M.S. prior to 1988. Acquired from the above 18 April 1988. M. Yekta, UK private collection UK. Acquired from the above 17 Aug 2021. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13469-262425.

Osiris was one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt, associated with the afterlife, resurrection and the regeneration of life. As ruler and judge of the dead, he offered the promise of rebirth to those who hoped to attain eternal life. Bronze statuettes of Osiris were dedicated in temples and placed in tombs as votive offerings. They expressed personal piety and devotion while invoking the god’s protection and his power to grant rebirth in the afterlife.