Lot 826
Attractive Early Hieroglyphic Fragment, in Limestone. Egypt, Old Kingdom, 6th Dynasty, c. 2295-2255 BC. A large fragment, comprising two vertical moldings from the right side of a false door for a mastaba tomb. On each molding, a line of neatly carved hieroglyphs: beneath each, a male (in two sizes) walking left and using a staff. The representations stylized, but done with more care than is often seen on these; with each wearing a wig, a broad collar, and a kilt with stiff triangular apron jutting forward. The inscription reads: "Ichy, Chief Lector Priest, Barber to Pharaoh Pepy I." In very fine condition, with some roughness at the top left, and some at the figure's kilts and lower. Height: 19-1/8" x 7" x 1-7/8"; on custom base. A good-sized and quite pleasing example of early dynastic Egyptian art: derived from one of the key aspects of their ritual and architectural tradition -- the "False Door."
Estimated Value $12,000 - 14,000.
Ancient World Arts, NY; the cover piece for their 1992 retail catalog. For a complete, but somewhat later example of a false door, see C. Ede, Collecting Antiquities, fig. 227.
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| Realized $13,225 |
