Large Egyptian Glazed Hieroglyphic Shabti

Wearing a tall Atef crown with sun disc and uraeus, arms crossed at the chest, holding the royal crook and flail. 57 grams, 12.1 cm



Gifted by Herbert Parsons (1870-1940) to his grandson, James Gibson (1926-2013). Inherited by the vendor and her brother, from their grandfather James Gibson.

In silk and wool from a tunic or wall hanging, comprising: (i) a corner fragment of a tapestry showing two soldiers hunting, one with a cross traced as deigmaton on the round shield and a semi-spatha (sword) in his right hand, both dressed in Gothic tunics of green and off-white colour, black trousers and red sagia, escaping animals surrounding; (ii) a long segment (clavus) with a hunting scene comprising a cavalryman in green mantle, off-white tunic, shield and sword, a Nubian servant in exomis and holding a shield, chasing wild horses, antelopes, goats and hares, a third horseman half-visible on the right. 8 grams total, 19-26 cm

Fair condition. Rare.

Hermann Historica, Germany, auction 67, part of lot 2025. Property of a Kensington gentleman. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato of which this is a part. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.10681-174371 (part).

Tabby technique on linen and wool. It is highly probable that this tapestry was part of a tunic decoration, the clavus (ii) running vertically on the breast; the corner fragment (i) forming the lower hem of the tunic. The representation of military characters, the red colour of the background, and the hunting parties – often associated with military training– indicate the likelihood that these are fragments from the military tunic of a high-ranking officer.

Composed of gently tapering biconical beads of various shades of turquoise and blue, interspersed with coin-shaped and spherical beads; restrung. 6.43 grams, 66 cm long



From an early 20th century UK collection.