25 - A FINE AND RARE SERPENTINE SHABTI, MIDDLE KINGDOM, DYNASTY XII-XIII, CIRCA 1900-1650 BC

A FINE AND RARE SERPENTINE SHABTI, MIDDLE KINGDOM, DYNASTY XII-XIII, CIRCA 1900-1650 BC Egypt. Finely carved from dense reddish-brown stone in compact mummy form, the body entirely enveloped in a close-fitting shroud and gently tapering toward the feet. The figure wears a smooth tripartite wig, its broad lappets descending onto the chest and framing the prominently exposed ears. The sensitively modeled face is distinguished by almond-shaped eyes beneath gently arched brows, a straight nose, full lips forming a subtle smile, and a softly rounded chin. Provenance: The private collection of Martin Kerner, Kirchdorf, Switzerland. Thereafter with Antiquitäten-und Kunsthandel Michael Voglsinger, Zurich, Switzerland. A European private collection, acquired from the above in 2022. Martin Kerner (d. 2008) was a Swiss researcher, author, and collector with wide-ranging interests in early material culture, ritual objects, ancient systems of measurement, and archeoastronomy. A noted specialist in Indonesian keris, he published 'Keris-Griffe aus dem malayischen Archipel' with the Museum Rietberg, Zurich, in 1996, alongside studies on prehistoric measuring systems and astronomy. Michael Voglsinger is a Zurich-based antiques dealer and collector whose interests include Asian art, antiquities, clocks, walking sticks, and, above all, historic arms. A lifelong collector, he later turned his passion into a profession, developing particular expertise in Oriental weapons, especially rare Mughal and Ottoman examples with jade hilts, while building an extensive network of dealers and private collectors through fairs and the international antiques trade. Condition: Very good condition, commensurate with age. Ancient weathering, natural fissures and fine cracks, and an abrasion to the underside. The surface with attractive smooth, lustrous wear and a fine, naturally grown patina of rich, deep reddish-brown color. Weight: 151 g Dimensions: Height 10.8 cm The shabti was an ancient Egyptian funerary figurine. They were placed in tombs among the grave goods and were intended to act as servants or minions for the deceased, should they be called upon to do manual labor in the afterlife. The practice of using shabtis can be traced to the First Intermediate Period, when wax or terracotta figurines serving as substitutes for the deceased were buried alongside the body. Most shabtis were small, and many produced in multiples – they sometimes covered the floor around a sarcophagus. Shabtis were produced in large quantities throughout Egyptian eras. Alongside scarabs, they rank among the most common ancient Egyptian artifacts and frequently appear in museum exhibits. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related stone shabti, dated to the Middle Kingdom-Early New Kingdom, 18 cm high, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, object number 20.2.7. Compare a related head and chest of a shabti figure, dated to the late Dynasty 12-Dynasty 13, 5.8 cm high, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, object number 2021.41.7, where the curators note that “shabtis can be uninscribed, or can be carved or painted with the name and titles of the owner, in some cases with a prayer asking for offerings. Later examples can bear a spell…”. Compare a related stone shabti, dated to the late Dynasty 12-early Dynasty 13, 9.7 cm high, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, object number 15.3.349. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Sotheby’s London, 3 December 2019, lot 66 Mid-Estimate: GBP 100,000 or approx. EUR 155,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: An Egyptian brown serpentine ushabti of Nedjem-ib, late 12 th/13 th dynasty, circa 1800-1640 BC Expert remark: Compare the closely related brown serpentine medium, smooth mummiform body, tripartite wig, prominent ears, large almond-shaped eyes, broad mouth, and finely modeled facial features. Note the larger size (27.8 cm) and the dedicatory inscription naming Nedjem-ib. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s London, 15 April 2015, lot 40 Price: GBP 218,500 or approx. EUR 364,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: An Egyptian serpentine shabti, Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 11-12, circa 2055-1773 BC Expert remark: Compare the related serpentine medium, mummiform conception, finely modeled facial features, prominent ears, and smooth polished surface. Note the larger size (22.2 cm) and horizontal bands around the body.