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LOT 0586
Very Large Egyptian Expedition Lithograph of the Hypogees Papyrus Manuscript from Thebes
EARLY 19TH CENTURY A.D.
41 1/4 x 27 1/4 in. (235 grams, 105 x 69.5 cm).
Proof etching on laid paper of plate 64 from Vol.II of Description de l'Égypte : ou, Recueil des observations et des recherches qui ont été faites en Égypte pendant l'expédition de l'armée française. entitled Thèbes. Hypogées. Manuscrit sur papyrus. 4eme partie.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a North American priest.
Acquired between 1981-1996.
Property of a North American collector.
Produced between February 1802 and 1830 on the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte; published between 1809 and 1828. Just 1,000 copies were distributed to various institutions, printed on laid paper with an 'Égypte ancienne et moderne' watermark. The book is subtitled Recueil des observations et des recherches qui ont été faites en Égypte pendant l’expédition de l’Armée française, publié par les ordres de Sa Majesté l’Empereur Napoléon le Grand (Gathering of observations and discoveries which were made in Egypt during the expedition of the French army, published on the orders of His Majesty the Emperor Napoleon the Great). It was the world's first encyclopedia devoted exclusively to the remains of ancient Egypt. The plates of this book are the first to present the archaeological sites of Thebes (Luxor). The papyrus manuscript was recovered from an underground tomb chamber (hypogeum). This includes a scene (bottom right) depicting the weighing of the deceased's heart before Osiris's divine tribunal. The heart is balanced against the feather of Maat, and the ibis-headed Thoth records the verdict. If the heart fails to balance, it is devoured by a fearsome creature called Ammut, and the deceased would cease to exist.
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LOT 0586
Very Large Egyptian Expedition Lithograph of the Hypogees Papyrus Manuscript from Thebes
Estimate £100 - 140€120 - 160 (for guidance only)$140 - 190 (for guidance only)
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Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment Group
Circa 6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £211
Comprising: a large fragment of a segmentum in white and red linen and wool, S torsion, borders embroidered with meanders, the central scene representing running hares; a purple on linen fragment of a clavus representing a dancer, borders with geometric decoration; and a large fragment of a tablion, ornamented with images of fishes, birds and vegetal patterns in red, green, yellow and dark blue wool, the central tondo missing. 66 grams total including package, 14.3-20.3 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
Water plant elements are scattered across the bottom of the tablion, which is decorated with water birds; these decorations likely surrounded the image of a nereid. These abstract decorations show a strong stylisation often giving the marine animals a plant-like appearance. -
Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment Group
Circa 5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Comprising a large fragment of a segmentum in linen and wool, decorated with orbiculi, a warrior to the centre flanked by hares; a large fragment of a segmentum in purple embroidery, comprising a central row with Nubian figures and borders with geometric decoration; a third segmentum in red, green and yellow wool with central vegetal ornaments. 126 grams total including package, 28-31.2 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
The theme of rabbits or hares, in association with other characters and animals of the Dionysian thiasos in a hunting setting, has notable parallels. The warrior in the center of the medallion holds a spear and shield and raises his left leg forward. Such representations are linked to narratives of the Dionysian cycle. -
Egyptian Faience Hieroglyphic Shabti
Late New Kingdom-early Third Intermediate Period, circa 1200-1000 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
Mummiform figure wearing a lappet wig, with arms crossed and holding a pick and hoe outlined in black; the wig, facial features, necklace, and seed bag painted black; hieroglyphic text to lower body: sḥḏ wsỉr "The illuminated, the Osiris". 87 grams, 11.3 cm
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.
The shabti was a stock product included with an opening dedication, awaiting the addition of the prospective purchaser's name. However, many examples of shabtis with only partial dedications are known to have been buried with the deceased.
