Egypto-Phoenician Haematite Scaraboid Seal

With flat rim and four projecting lugs; band of incised concentric rings to the rim and shoulder; curving sidewall to a narrow flat base. 503 grams, 13.2 cm wide



Private collection, USA and Switzerland, acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s; by descent to the current owner.

Vessels of this typology were used mainly as mortars for crushing legumes, cereals, fruit, spices, the bare minimum needed for preparing daily food, but also for pharmaceutical products and for painting, for mixing colours and ointments.

Carved in the round in a typical mummiform shape with hands crossed on the chest, wearing a tripartite wig with long, splayed lappets; collector's number to base 'E.803'. 140 grams, 21.5 cm



Private collection, acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s; thence by descent. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.13228-249321.

A shabti (or ushabti) is a small funerary figurine from ancient Egyptian tombs, dating from around 2000 BCE to 30 BCE. Its main purpose was to assist the deceased in the afterlife by performing tasks like farming. Shabtis were often inscribed with a magical formula from the Book of the Dead to ensure they would come to life when needed.

Mummiform figure with crossed arms, wearing a false beard and tripartite wig. 22.29 grams, 96 mm



Acquired from Ancient Art, London, UK. From the collection of a Nottingham, UK, collector, established from the early 2000s. Accompanied by the original Ancient Art certificate of authenticity.