**First Time At Auction**

Egypt, Late Dynastic to Ptolemaic period, ca. 664 to 30 BCE. An interesting example of a mummified electric catfish (Malapteruridae) known colloquially to the ancient Egyptians as "angry catfish." Much of the exterior linen wrappings have been removed from the fish to expose the underlying cartilage structure, though some linen fragments remain as do most of the catfish's signature whiskers. The ancient Egyptians reputedly used smaller electric catfish to treat arthritis pain as larger catfish could generate charges of up to 300 or 400 volts. Accompanying the fish is a wooden plaque with a Greek inscription and a petite suspension hole. Size (fish): 7" L x 1.5" W (17.8 cm x 3.8 cm)

Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA; ex-private Wood-Ridge, New Jersey, USA collection; ex-private New York, New York, USA collection

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#149832

Fish has losses to some areas of linen wrappings, some rays on dorsal and tail fins, and small areas of head, with minor losses to verso of wooden plaque. Nice remains of original linen wrappings on fish.