Choose Category:

Home > Auctions > Starting 3rd June 2025 > Egyptian Wooden Model Boat with Oarsmen

Print page | Email lot to a friend

Back to previous page


An Early Tomb Model
Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge
Gallery loading...

LOT 0052

Estimate
GBP (£) 8,000 - 10,000
EUR (€) 9,250 - 11,570
USD ($) 10,720 - 13,400

EGYPTIAN WOODEN MODEL BOAT WITH OARSMEN
MIDDLE KINGDOM, LATE 11TH-EARLY 12TH DYNASTY, 2010-1961 B.C.
16 3/8 in. (1.29 kg, 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.

PROVENANCE:
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.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

LITERATURE:
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.

FOOTNOTES:
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.

CONDITION
VETTING:
TimeLine Auctions follows a rigorous vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process

AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.