Egyptian Bronze Votive Shrew (for Sarcophagus Lid)
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Description
Egypt, Ptolemaic period, ca. 332 to 30 BCE. A charming cast-bronze figurine of a shrew atop an integral lid meant for a votive sarcophagus. The petite mammal stands atop four attenuated legs and has a bulky body, a protruding tail base, and a slightly tapered neck. Circular eyes, a puffy mane, a tapered snout, and a pair of cupped ears comprise the countenance. The back of the neck is incised with a serrated register similar to the designs seen on pharaonic Wesekh pectoral collars and incised on the back are a pair of outstretched wings symbolic of the goddess Isis. Mottled layers of green and brown patina envelop the entire composition, and areas of azurite patina are visible on the head and neck. Size: 3.1" L x 0.8" W x 1.1" H (7.9 cm x 2 cm x 2.8 cm); 1.4" H (3.6 cm) on included custom stand.
According to scholar Dorothea Arnold, "'The Voracious' was the ancient Egyptians' name for the shrew, an epithet that aptly describes the feeding habits of this tiny animal. In ancient Egyptian popular mythology the shrew was closely associated with the ichneumon. The shrew represented the blind aspect of a solar deity whose complement, endowed with keen eyesight, was understood to be the ichneumon." (Arnold, Dorothea. "An Egyptian Bestiary." The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, Spring 1995, Vol. LII, no. 4, p. 39).
For a nearly identical example, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 04.2.465.
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#152792
According to scholar Dorothea Arnold, "'The Voracious' was the ancient Egyptians' name for the shrew, an epithet that aptly describes the feeding habits of this tiny animal. In ancient Egyptian popular mythology the shrew was closely associated with the ichneumon. The shrew represented the blind aspect of a solar deity whose complement, endowed with keen eyesight, was understood to be the ichneumon." (Arnold, Dorothea. "An Egyptian Bestiary." The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, Spring 1995, Vol. LII, no. 4, p. 39).
For a nearly identical example, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 04.2.465.
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#152792
Condition
Loss to end of tail as shown. Small area of restoration to one side of body, with resurfacing and overpainting along new material. Minor abrasions to plinth, body, head, and legs, with softening to some incised details, and light encrustations. Great brown and green patina throughout with areas of azurite patina around head and neck.
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Egyptian Bronze Votive Shrew (for Sarcophagus Lid)
Estimate $600 - $900
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