Egyptian Steatite Scaraboid for Pharaoh Shabaka

Two-part wooden (sycamore?) falcon-headed mummiform coffin carved from a single piece of wood, with a tripartite wig and human ears, painted detailing to the eyes, and broad decorative collar; the whole covered with black paint with traces of yellow decoration and inscriptions; inside a mummified falcon wrapped in linen strips. 2.3 kg, 49.5 cm



Ex R. Liechti (1934-2010) Geneva, Switzerland, formed between 1950-1990s. Accompanied by a copy of an old collection inventory note. Accompanied by an academic report by Egyptologist Paul Whelan. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12074-218220.

This falcon-headed coffin once contained a so-called 'corn mummy' - a mummiform effigy impregnated with grain, which germinated. Such 'corn mummies' were associated with Osirian regeneration, fertility, and rebirth concepts. The falcon-headed coffin was associated with the powerful funerary deity Sokar-Osiris or Ptah-Sokar-Osiris. It seems that the original contents of this coffin were either lost or discarded and replaced with a mummified bird (falcon?). Interestingly, the most significant number of falcon-headed coffins come from Tuna el-Gebel, the site of an extensive animal mummy necropolis.

Scarab with detailed anatomical features, ellipsoid plaque with incuse inset motif topped at each end by the head of Horus; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 4.4 grams, 20 mm



Ex private collection of Mrs J.H., London, UK, early 1990s.

Restrung beadwork panel of exceptional colour depicting a mummy face mask with false beard; restrung with some later beads. 17.3 grams, 89 mm



Ex Mariaud de Serres, Paris, France, 1980-1990s. From a London, UK, collection.