EGYPTIAN HEMATITE STATUE BASE WITH HIEROGLYPHIC INSCRIPTION - EX CHRISTIE'S

Late Period to Ptolemaic Period, ca. 664 - 30 BC. A rectangular hematite statue base with a tongue-shaped recess in the upper surface for the insertion of a healing statue or cippus of Horus. Hieroglyphic inscriptions cover all four sides and the upper surface, comprising protective utterances against scorpion bites and invocations for health. The texts incorporate elements from the myth of the child Horus, his death from scorpion stings and his resuscitation by Isis. "There is not any water there. Come! Its rain beat down in the house of the rich lady. It was not the season thereof Begotten(?), ... there is not the place(?) of Re, there is not Wennofer (i.e. Osiris). I beat(?) and quaked(?) on the ground in order to restore to life, conceiving(?) in the place of ... there is not. ...Come to me! (two times)," on the front, "Behold, I possess life! I am a wise daughter in her town who drives out the poisonous snake with her utterance; (my) father taught me concerning what (I) know. I am the beloved daughter of his . Isis placed her hands on the child in order to resuscitate," on the left side, "the one whose throat was : Poison of Tefen (name of a scorpion), come on the ground! Poison of Neben(?), you shall not be dangerous(?). Poison of Mesen and Mespeh, (you) shall not travel. Poison of Khetet(?), Tjen and Matet, ... you won't be able to do that which is dangerous(?). The utterance of Isis, the , great of secrets, foremost of the gods. Geb has given (to) you the ...," on the back, "From him (to) drive away, to retreat and go back, back, poison which is thrown down! Up!(?) Die! Utterance to make. ...a remedy at night(?)," and on the right side, "saying: Re wishes that the child live and the poison die! May Horus be healthy for his mother Isis! Then shall every man and woman be healthy, shall come a man likewise. Be healthy, Psamtjek son of Nebenaset likewise, and be hidden (i.e. protected) in good condition" For similar see: The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Accession Number 48.24.8a-b; Size: 90mm x 55mm; Weight: 275g Provenance: Prince Collection, 1990s–2014; Ex. Christie's Sale 20074, June 2008, Lot 15; Ex. Gustave Jéquier (1868-1946). This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter. This piece is accompanied by a report from Lisa Sartini, Egyptologist PHD of Chimera Heritage Consultants.

Estimate:$2,679.04

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