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LOT 0011
Two Egyptian Cylindrical Alabaster Jars
EARLY DYNASTIC PERIOD, CIRCA 3100-2900 B.C.
2 1/2 - 4 1/2 in. (1 kg total, 6.4-11.5 cm high).
The larger with rounded rim, concave body and flat base, the smaller with cylindrical body and flat disc rim. [2]
ProvenanceMary Stout Shaw (1880-1962); thence by direct descent to the present owner.
Accompanied by a copy of a 1976 family photo featuring some of the collection on display, the larger kohl jar is clearly visible on a 1976 family photo.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12198-220885.
Cf. Aston, B.G., Ancient Egyptian Stone Vessels: Materials and Forms, SAGA 5, Heidelberg, 1994, pp.102-3, nos.31-32, for similar vessels.
FootnotesMary Kilgour Stone was born in 1880 in Cincinnati, Ohio. On 25 November 1903, she married Percy Wyfold Stout from Gloucester (DSO, OBE, 1875-1937), who had moved to Cairo after an international rugby career.
After fighting in the First World War, Percy became the Director of the Egyptian Delta Land Company and the Anglo-American Nile Tourist Company. He and Mary were friends with the famous Major Gayer-Anderson, who worked as a doctor on the company’s cruise boats between 1930 and 1939. Gayer-Anderson tells in his memoir how this allowed him to make frequent trips to Upper Egypt and fulfil his passion for collecting (and dealing in) ancient Egyptian art.
In his company, Mary became an enthusiast about all things Egypt and formed an elegant collection of ancient Egyptian alabaster vessels,
including the following lots. She was particularly fascinated with the ancient cat goddess Bastet. Therefore, when Gayer-Anderson decided
to give his famous ancient bronze cat to the British Museum in 1939, he made sure the donation was in both his name and Mary Stout Shaw’s,
as a tribute to their friendship.
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AUCTIONS:
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Egyptian Bronze Figure of Osiris
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,980
Solid cast mummiform figure standing on an integral plinth; the god cloaked in a tight-fitting shroud, sporting the ostrich-plumed atef crown with uraeus, divine beard, and holding the characteristic crook and flail regalia; traces of gilding remain; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 811 grams total, 21 cm including stand
Private collection, 19th century, thence by descent. Private collection, Neuchâtel. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12195-222135.
Osiris is a deity who represents death and fertility and is commonly regarded as the quintessential god of rebirth. Though he was once a mortal ruler, as a deceased entity, his domain was the Underworld. Abydos was the primary centre of Osiris’s cult, where a renowned yearly celebration of the god was held. -
Egyptian Gold Uraeus Amulet
Late New Kingdom, 1070-900 B.C.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
In rearing cobra pose with body coiled below. 0.38 grams, 11 mm
From an early 20th century French collection. -
Egyptian Silver Poppy Head Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
With bulb and disc finial, integral shank and gusseted suspension loop. 1 grams, 17 mm
From an early 20th century collection.
Amulets 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.