Large Pectoral of a Linen Mummy Cartonnage

Culture: Egyptian

Period: Ptolemaic period, 332-30 B.C.

Material: Linen, gypsum

Dimensions: 40.2 cm high (cartonnage); 70 cm x 53.3 cm (dimensions of the frame)

Price: Sold

Ref: 1486

Provenance: French private collection Jean Deriat (1922-2016), acquired on 2 June 2012 from gallery Olivier Tiano "HIER et AILLEURS" in Paris. With the original invoice. Thence in a family estate. Accompanied by a French antiquities passport.

Condition: Unrestored

Description: Particularly high-quality and richly painted chest piece from a mummy cartonnage made of linen. The upper part is formed by two falcon heads with sun discs facing outwards. Below a nine-row, magnificently crafted collar (“usekh”) with rows of lotus blossoms, rosettes and circles. The end is formed by a hem of teardrop pearls. Below the collar the goddess Isis with sun disk kneels facing to the right. Her wings are wide open, and she holds in each hand an ostrich feather of the atef crown, her husband Osiris’ symbol of power. Above her are two vertical columns with hieroglyphs. The inscription reads: “Words are spoken by the daughter of Re, who lives protected by Osiris and her heart rejoices.” Below the goddess a light bar with two more inscriptions. They read: “Words spoken by Hapy”, as well as “Words spoken by Imsety”. The text is about two of the four sons of Horus, who protected the intestines of the deceased. The cartonnage is mounted on a canvas and framed behind glass for suspension on the wall.