18 - A FINE POLYCHROME LIMESTONE RELIEF FRAGMENT WITH THE NILE GOD HAPI, NEW KINGDOM, DYNASTY XVIII-XIX

A FINE POLYCHROME LIMESTONE RELIEF FRAGMENT WITH THE NILE GOD HAPI, NEW KINGDOM, DYNASTY XVIII-XIX Expert's note The surviving composition strongly suggests that this fragment once belonged to the lower register of a temple wall, where processions of fecundity figures carried the bounty of Egypt toward the gods. A closely related conception appears on the limestone relief from the Chapel of Ramesses I at the Temple of Seti I at Abydos, dated to circa 1299-1290 BC, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, object number 11.155.3a ( fig. 1). Its lower register incorporates Nile gods, two of whom bind the lotus and papyrus around the sema-tawy emblem, while others approach bearing vessels of fresh water symbolizing life, happiness, food, and provisions. Such figures formed an important component of temple decoration, embodying the fertility and abundance upon which Egypt and its cults depended. The pendant breast, full torso, and offering table of the present figure are characteristic of this tradition. Particularly close is a relief of Hapi in the Temple of Seti I at Abydos, dating to the early 13th century BC ( fig. 2), in which the god similarly extends his long, flattened hand beneath an offering table, providing a compelling parallel for the distinctive gesture preserved on the present fragment. Although the head, headdress, and any identifying inscription of the present relief are lost, its attribution to Hapi accords closely with the established iconography of the Nile god and related fecundity figures. Egypt, c. 1450-1189 BC. Carved in shallow relief and retaining extensive original polychromy, the fragment preserves the upper body and arms of Hapi, the personification of the Nile inundation, shown holding a rectangular offering table before him. The god's fleshy torso and long, delicately articulated hand are painted in red ochre, with the characteristic pendulous breast emphasizing his fecund, androgynous nature, while the offering table and surrounding elements retain a warm cream tone. Portions of vessels are preserved above the table, the composition outlined with finely incised details and retaining remarkably vivid red, cream, and darker pigments. Artloss Register: Certificate #S00121210 from 13 February 2017. A copy of this document accompanies this lot. Condition: Very good condition, commensurate with age. Obvious losses, expected old wear, small chips and nicks, natural fissures, and scattered minor encrustations. The original polychromy is remarkably well preserved, with only minor touchups. Provenance: - With Galerie Orient Occident, J.L. Despras, Paris, France. - The private collection of Jean Deriat, Paris, France, acquired from the above in 1970. - With Galerie Cybèle, Paris, France, acquired from the above in 2016. - The private collection of Michel Goughassian (1943–2020), Paris, France, acquired from the above in 2021. A copy of an old black-and-white photograph from Galerie Orient Occident, dating from before 1975, accompanies this lot. A copy of a handwritten invoice, written and signed by Jean Deriat, dated 3 May 2016, confirming the dating and provenance above, accompanies the lot. A copy of an invoice from Galerie Cybèle, addressed to Michel Ghougassian, dated 20 July 2021, confirming the dating above, accompanies this lot. Weight: 4.1 kg (incl. stand) Dimensions : Height 20 cm (excl. stand) 24.5 cm (incl. stand) Mounted on an associated metal stand. (2) Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 6 February 2026, lot 215 Price: USD 24,130 or approx. EUR 21,500 converted at the time of writing Description: An Egyptian polychrome limestone relief fragment, 18th-19th Dynasty, 1540-1190 BC Expert remark: Compare the closely related dating, polychrome limestone medium, shallow relief carving, and preservation of painted details. Note the smaller size (16.5 cm) and different subject. Due to length restriction on Drouot this entry is shortened. For full description please visit www.zacke.at.