LOT 0009

Egyptian Wooden Model Boat with Oarsmen

MIDDLE KINGDOM, LATE 11TH-EARLY 12TH DYNASTY, 2010-1961 B.C.

16 3/8 in. (1.3 kg total, 41.5 cm wide).

Comprising a cream-coloured crescent-shaped boat manned by a crew of seven oarsmen, each with a short black wig, their bodies painted in reddish-brown and wearing cream-coloured kilts; all with pivoting arms and with hands drilled to accept oars (now missing); an outline around the boat's deck and a net pattern at the prow and stern in red; a portion of an inward slanting stern post remains, with traces of another at the prow; the oarsmen re-affixed.

Acquired in the 1960s.
From the collection of the late Egyptologist Surgeon Commander P.H.K. Gray RN.
From a Surrey, UK, collection.

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 search certificate no.11943-209563.

Cf. Freed, R.E. et al., The Secrets of Tomb 10A - Egypt 2000 BC, p.167, fig.127, for a similar example from the tomb of Djehuty-nakht at Deir el-Bersha.

Models of various boat types were sometimes provided for the same burial. For the different types see Winlock, H.E., Models of Daily Life in Ancient Egypt from the Tomb of Meket-Re' at Thebes, Cambridge MA, 1955, pp.92-103.