Romano-Egyptian Bronze Tortoise Statuette

Comprising: three poppy seed amulets; three similar modelled in the half-round; and others. 6.84 grams total, 10-19 mm



Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.

Decorated using turquoise glaze and painted face, collar and hand detailing, wearing short wig and Sidelock of Youth (typical of a Sem priest); column of hieroglyphs to the lower body reading 'King's son, Sem priest of Ptah Khaemwaset, true of voice'; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 55 grams, 11.6 cm (159 grams total, 13 cm high including stand)



Acquired on the London art market, early 1980s. Private European 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 number no.11837-206506.

There are various short inscriptions found on faience shabtis of Khaemwaset. The inscription on this shabti is notable for including the uncommon possessive element 'of Ptah' following the writing of 'Sem(-priest)'. It features on none of the inscriptions on the 43 published faience shabtis in the Louvre, but is found on an alabaster shabti of Khaemwaset in the Vatican's Museo Gregoriano Egizio (inv.no.19332). Also, the arm sign serving as a phonetic complement in the writing of his name is fairly uncommon on his faience shabtis, although it is found, for instance, in the inscriptions on two in the Louvre (inv.nos. N 456 A and N 768.14) and on another in the Amasis Collection (inv.no.S-1577).

Carved in the round, standing and with a bobbed hairstyle with ribbed bands and crest, extended hands covering stomach and pudenda; on a rectangular base; repaired. 72 grams, 19.5 cm



Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.