Egyptian Bronze Sarcophagus w/ Shrew Atop

Ancient Egypt, Late Period, ca. 712 to 300 BCE. A charming cast bronze shrew atop a shrew-sized sarcophagus. The shrew sculpture is bigger than the actual animal it is based upon, while the sarcophagus is of typical rectangular open form, with a hollowed out lower section which would have contained the mummified shrew, carefully wrapped in linen. The adult Egyptian pygmy shrew is one of the smallest mammals on earth, weighing just 7 grams, but they are voracious eaters - in fact, the Egyptian word for the animal translates to "voracious". They were associated with the solar deity. Thousands of mummified shrews, given as offerings to try to intercede with the gods, have been found underneath Egyptian temples. Size: 5.25" W x 1.55" H (13.3 cm x 3.9 cm)

Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA; ex-Anubis Ancient Art, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; ex-private old English collection, acquired in 1983

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#149724
Condition Report: Intact, with openings at both ends of the sarcophagus and an opening on the underside which would have been filled in with other materials when the sarcophagus was originally in use. Great mottled turquoise patina with form well preserved.