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Sale 30
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Lot 1817
Lot of Two "Mummiform" Egyptian Artifacts. Egypt, Middle Kingdom - New Kingdom, c. 2000-1100 BC. From the Middle Kingdom, the upper half a large ushabti, carved in limestone. Of usual Osirid form, standing with forearms crossed, with beard and tripartite wig, and wrapped in simple, clinging shroud. The features are fine and delicate, and expertly sculpted, but have become damaged over the centuries. The stone has acquired a darkish patina over the years, but clearly visible is the remain of the paint which originally coated this piece: yellow at the hands, ears, and part of the face; blue at the wig; and along the breast, bands of red and blue, and perhaps white. At the back of the ushabti, an old inked inventory number, "1665," and what looks like an even older red and white label, inked in two lines, "117.16 / Smitts." Height: 7", on custom stand. Along with this a small wooden sarcophagus, judging by its painted decoration, likely New Kingdom, made for a "corn mummy." This coffin in essence a detailed miniature of the normal full-sized coffin. Of Osirid form, the shroud in black, with gold or yellow bands binding the figure both horizontally and vertically. The paint on the face is dark, perhaps black, the wig blue, along with bands of red and blue, and white at the breast. The coffin neatly carved, and mostly complete, but a little shaky in spots. Height: 14". Two interesting and rare objects. The large carved stone ushabti, especially, associated with high ranking royal burials. Lot of 2 items.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 15,000.
The mummy that was placed in this tiny sarcophagus was not a real mummy, but rather a figurine made of earth and grain seeds representing the god Osiris. In the ancient Egyptian religion, Osiris is the legendary ruler of predynastic Egypt and god of the underworld. He is first noted in the Pyramid Texts as a shadowy figure to which the deceased ruler is promised not to be abandoned. However, over the centuries Osiris absorbed the forms and functions of nearly all other deities associated with death and the afterlife in Egypt. Eventually he would be embodied in the "popular religion" of the people as final decision maker of one's destiny after death. In addition to these associations, Osiris was also the first born son of Geb and Nut and so embodied the "Black Land" (the fertile soil around the Nile) of Egypt itself, which yearly is "murdered by the encroachment of the Red Land (desert)," yet which returns to growth and fertility. These "corn mummies" of seeded dirt were placed in tombs to germinate in the darkness, and thus demonstrate the fecund powers of the god. Such a corn-mummy was found in Tutankhamen's tomb. Examination revealed sprouts of barley and emmer.
Such mummies should more correctly be termed "grain mummies," rather than employing the English generic usage, "corn," which actually applies to the seed of such cereals, as wheat, rye, barley, etc., rather than the maize vegetable which originated in the New World.
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