A painted wood fragment, A painted wood fragment, Egyptian, possibly Middle Kingdom, 11th-12th dynasty (c.2030-1650 BC), from a sarcophagus or chest, the turquoise hieroglyphics enclosed within parallel white and turquoise borders, to a yellow ground, inscribed to the reverse, 17.5 x 18cm, on a wood stand, 27cm high (2) Provenance: Piguet Hôtel des Ventes, Geneva, anonymous sale, 29 September 2010, lot 791; private collection, Switzerland, believed to have been formed in the 1960s and 70s. Known as 'coffin texts', the vertical bands of hieroglyphics are typical of Middle Kingdom sarcophagi. These texts form a collection of spells intended to ensure that the deceased would reach the afterlife. Although used across a wide section of society, they are most prevalent in sarcophagi discovered in higher-status burial areas such as Deir el-Bersha and Beni Hasan. For similar examples in the British Museum collection see Museum Numbers EA34259 and EA30840. Condition Report: The colours are bright but there is no suggestion of recent overpainting due to the historic watermarks. British Museum links: EA30840 and EA34259