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Monumental Ancient Egyptian Limestone Sarcophagus Lid, Ptolemaic Period

$430,000

£325,846.91

€379,790.76

CA$614,655.79

A$622,354.10

CHF 354,055.46

MX$7,563,553.93

NOK 4,185,112.43

SEK 4,163,126.29

DKK 2,839,027.98

About the Item

The upper part of a monumental anthropoid limestone sarcophagus, finely carved and preserving several hieroglyphs from a spell for immortality from the Book of the Dead. The lid depicts a youthful, idealised face, typical of Ptolemaic anthropoid sarcophagi from this period, framed by a voluminous tripartite wig, with pursed lips, a broad nose and almond-shaped eyes, finely contoured eyebrows and long cosmetic lines. Limestone sarcophagi such as this were a crucial part of the enduring funerary traditions of ancient Egypt. Preservation of the body after death was believed to ensure safe passage to the afterlife, and so coffins developed to be made from more and more durable material. Emerging three millennia earlier in Old Kingdom practices and evolving through later periods, they were believed to be the eternal dwellings of the deceased, and were associated with Osiris, god of resurrection. Carved at impressive scale, often from a single block of limestone, such monumental stone sarcophagi also became symbols of status among priestly and administrative elites. The finely worked facial features on the present piece – the defined cosmetic lines, youthful skin and defined lips – show the particular skill of the ancient sculptor. Inscriptions and spells on sarcophagi were a common feature of Egyptian burial practice, eventually becoming standardised in the Late and Ptolemaic periods. This ultimately allowed the identification of the complete inscription on the present piece from just a handful of remaining hieroglyphs. Indeed, renowned American Egyptologist, Jonathan Elias, identified that the complete inscription of the present example originated from Chapter 154 of the Book of the Dead, and specifically a spell for ensuring the immortality of the body after death. Provenance Collection of Dr. Hans Hitzler, Bochum, Germany, acquired prior to 1944, and thence by descent; Sotheby’s, London, Ancient Sculpture and Works of Art, 3 December 2019, Lot 60. Condition As shown. Stable. Upper left part (approx. 107cm high) ancient and repaired from sections with stable cracks. Area below is reconstructed. With Base. Please note that this item is a work of art and is thus exempt from US reciprocal tariffs. ArtAncient are dealers in rare wonders from the formation of the Solar System to late antiquity, discovering, studying and placing objects in extraordinary collections. Please contact us for more details on this piece.

Dimensions:
Height: 85.83 in (218 cm)Width: 28.15 in (71.5 cm)Depth: 20.87 in (53 cm)
Style:
Egyptian (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Limestone
Place of Origin:
Egypt
Period:
15th Century and Earlier
Date of Manufacture:
Late to Ptolemaic Period, c. 380-200 BC
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: 433801stDibs: LU1052249397222

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