Ancient Egypt, Third Intermediate to Late Dynastic Period, 664 to 332 BCE. I love this piece! A cartonnage (linen or papyrus covered with plaster) panel with a painted design of Anubis, the canid god of mummification and the afterlife, painted in black, red, and cream. The black symbolizes the discoloration of a corpse after it has been embalmed - but also the promise of new life. He has two human attendants, one standing, wearing a leopard skin with a collar and a headband; this figure is pouring something (wine or oil?) from an amphora. In the other hand, the figure holds a tray bearing implements - perhaps the implements relating to embalming. The liquid poured from the amphora flows in a curved line past the tray and into a bowl held by a second figure, a kneeling attendant who offers the bowl of liquid to the god. The base has red painted arrow patterns. In his role as protector of graves and cemeteries, by this late period in Egypt, Anubis had become associated with guiding souls to the underworld; here he stands with his staff, hand raised, as if ready to lead the way. Size: 6" W x 8.5" H (15.2 cm x 21.6 cm)

Provenance: ex-English collection

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#118544

Wear and losses as shown, with clear artwork. Mounted on a wooden panel backing.