An Egyptian Wood Fragment from a Sarcophagus, Ptolemaic Period, ca. 332 - 30 BCE

This wood sarcophagus fragment, likely from the curved lid of the sarcophagus, has been covered in linen cartonnage and painted.  The figures depicted may be the god Ptah, the creator god, who was often shown wearing a mummy cap as exemplified by the figures on this fragment.  Rows of hieroglyphs separate each standing figure, and they all stand on a ground line decorated with a dot and line pattern. Another set of Ptah figures are rotated ninety degrees to stand in a vertical row to the left of the central figures. 

Ptah was the Egyptian creator god who brought the world into being.  His chief place of worship was Memphis, and he was the central figure in the triad of Memphis, along with his wife Sekhmet and son Nefertem.  He was the patron deity of craftsmen and artisans, and is often represented wearing the divine beard and holding a scepter combining the was, ankh, and djed.  These three symbols indicate the creative powers of the god: power, life, and stability.

Medium:  Wood, linen, polychrome

Dimensions:  Height:  5 5/8 inches (14.3 cm), Length: 15 3/4 inches (40 cm)

Condition:  Overall in good condition, however the presence of wormholes is noted.

Provenance:  Thilo and lzora Steinschulte private collection, VA, acquired in 1975 from Coins & Antiquities Ltd., 20/22 Maddox St., London W1R 0HB, then by descent. Accompanied by a copy of the original collector's paperwork.

QUESTIONS? Just click the Contact Us tab on your right.