Framed Egyptian Cartonnage Panel with Hieroglyphic Inscription
Ptolemaic or Roman Period, after 305 B.C. Tongue-shaped decorative panel with segmented borders; above, funerary scene with the deceased's mummy on a leonine bier, flanked by the attending goddesses Isis and Nephthys; the deceased's Ba-bird hovering above the body; a central vertical band of semi-cursive hieroglyphic text flanked by six panels containing figures of the Four Sons of Horus and squatting knife-wielding guardians; mounted on board in a glazed frame. Cf. Manley, B. & Dodson, A., Life Everlasting. National Museums Scotland Collection of Ancient Egyptian Coffins, Edinburgh, 2010, pp.110 no. 39, 112 no. 41 and 117 no. 46, for examples of mummy trapping elements.2.17 kg total, 36.5 cm high (25 in.). From a London, UK, collection. Exhibited in London in mid 2000s. Private gentleman's collection, J.L., Surrey, UK.Accompanied by a scholarly 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.11772-203499. This cartonnage comes from a set of mummy trappings, usually consisting of four to six individual pieces that were sown on the front of a mummified and bandaged body. The element here is an apron positioned on the body below a mask and collar and above a foot cover or stylised 'sandals'. The central band of inscription calls upon Osiris and Anubis to ensure a good burial for the deceased. [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website.]