Phoenician Carnelian Scaraboid with Lion

The mummiform figure in brownish-black and white faience with black detailing, wearing a round wig featuring a side-lock and a broad collar, the white face displaying eyes, eyebrows, nostrils, and a short beard in black; the arms crossed, and the white-glazed hands holding hoes; a slightly raised white-glazed frontal panel containing a column of hieroglyphic text reads: 'The Osiris, the Sem-Priest, the King's Son, Khaemwaset, True of Voice'. 82.4 grams, 11.8 cm



From the private collection of George Ortiz, Geneva, Switzerland, since before 1981. Received by gift from George Ortiz to the current owner at Mr Ortiz's Geneva home in the summer of 1981. From the private collection of a UK gentleman since the early 1980s. Identified by Professor A.M. Dodson BA, MPhil, PhD, FSA, Department of Anthropology & Archaeology, University of Bristol. 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.

Khaemwaset was the fourth son of Ramesses II, born to Queen Iset-Nofret. In addition to serving as the Sem-priest of Ptah at Memphis from an early age, he held various titles related to the Memphite cult, including High Priest of Ptah. The side-lock featured on all of Khaemwaset's shabtis is associated with his priestly role. Many shabtis of the prince are known, with the largest single group coming from the Serapeum at Saqqara; however, others have been found in numerous other locations. Since Khaemwaset's tomb has yet to be discovered, it appears that most of the known shabtis may have served as votive offerings in the sacred areas of the Memphite necropolis. His faience shabtis come in various colours, including green, blue, white, and black, and range in size from just under 10 cm to 15 cm in height. The distinctive glaze combination of this example, featuring a raised white-glazed panel contrasting with the darker body colour, is also found on some other 19th Dynasty shabtis (Cf. Janes, G., The Shabti Collections 3: Rochdale Arts & Heritage Service, Cheshire, 2011, pp.1-5 for those of Userhat from Sedment).

Composed mainly of oblate and spherical beads, four poppy seed pendants, and a larger djed pillar pendant; restrung with a modern clasp. 12.68 grams, 43.5 cm



From an Israeli collection, formerly with the Archaeological Centre in Jaffa. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The djed pillar symbolises endurance and stability. Used as a funerary amulet since the Old Kingdom, it was first linked to Ptah and Sokar, later becoming associated with Osiris as his backbone. Chapter 155 of the Book of the Dead references it in the context of resurrection. Beads in the form of poppies were used to heal and alleviate pain and to ward off death. These types of amulets were also linked to Osiris, the Egyptian deity of agriculture, death, and the afterlife.

Of conical profile with flattened base, carinated shoulder and stepped rounded rim, possibly for accepting a lid. 380 grams, 11.6 cm wide



Property from an American deceased estate, acquired between 1970-1989. with Bonhams, London, 28 October 2009, no.16 (Part). Private European collection. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12071-215259. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.