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This is the rating and price for Egyptian Stone Sarcophagus Section



Description : Egypt, New Kingdom, ca. 1550 to 712 BCE. A pink sandstone sarcophagus section carved in the form of a profile portrait head. The ancient Egyptians created sarcophagi to form an outer layer of several layers of nested coffins that protected the mummy within. All of these were typically either painted or carved with representations of the deceased. This example is beautifully carved. Note the finely delineated ear, elegant eye, browline, and hairline. Notice too how the sculpture captured a marked contrast between the smooth surface of the skin and the more textured hair. The sculptor of this piece truly had command over his medium. The word sarcophagus has interesting etymology. It comes from the Greek word sarx which means flesh and phagien which means to eat. Hence, the literal translation is eater of flesh. Indeed Herodotus, the 5th century BCE Greek historian, noted that early sarcophagi were actually carved from a stone that consumed the corpse's flesh. This said, some scholars dispute this interpretation arguing that in the Egyptian ancient language, the sarcophagus might have been called neb ankh meaning possessor of life. In this example we have a true treasure from the ancient Egyptians of the New Kingdom, created with the utmost artistry and care to protect the ka or spirit within! Custom, museum-quality stand. Size: 10 W x 10.25 H (25.4 cm x 26 cm), 12.25 H (31.1 cm) on stand. Provenance: Ex - Cassell collection acquired in 1969 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. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #115560
Price: 5 913.75 USD It's free to register now to view!
Estimate (low-high) : 6000 USD-9000 USD It's free to register now to view!

About the lot N° 3A
Title : Egyptian Stone Sarcophagus Section
Size : sarcophagus section
Condition report : Fragmentary else quite excellent.
Artemis Gallery, auctioneer, Louisville, US It's free to register now to view!
Sale title : Ancient, Pre-Columbian and Ethnographic
Sale date : 22 Jun 2016 It's free to register now to view!
Sale Reference : Live Sale

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