Published Egyptian Quartzite Block Statue - Astronomer

Ancient Egypt, New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, reign of Amenhotep III, ca. 1391 to 1353 BCE. A block statue of paramount rarity depicting a seated astronomer, expertly carved from red-brown quartzite. Crossed arms rest atop bent legs covered with a short skirt, pleated sporran, and hanging astronomer's tool, with one remaining hand holding a stalk of lettuce. A leopard-headed pelt knotted beneath one arm drapes across the shoulders down to the belted waist, and dozens of 'stars' double as the feline's spots. Almond-shaped eyes peer out beneath heavy lids and arching brows, with a projecting mouth and delineated philtrum, and veristic ears, all beneath a wavy wig. Two rear columns of hieroglyphic text - usurped during later dynasties - deem this statue as an offering to Amen-Re from the king. Of roughly ten astronomer statues, this example is one of only two that is carved from brown quartzite thought to be Yuya, priest of Min and father of Queen Tiy. Size: 9.05" L x 8.125" W x 13.25" H (23 cm x 20.6 cm x 33.7 cm); 14.4" H (36.6 cm) on included custom stand. Included with this figure is an Art Loss Registry certificate, reference number S00129102; a descriptive report by Egyptologist Arielle P. Kozloff; a descriptive exhibition pamphlet from the "Am Hofe Des Pharao Von Amenophis I. Bis Tutanchamun" exhibition at the Palais Del Arte, Paris (May 4 - October 27, 2002); and a book written in both English and German devoted to this very statue entitled, "Kuboid Statue Of An Astronomer" by Egyptologist Andrea-Christina Thiem. Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Dr. Jur Herbert Gohlich collection, Germany, acquired 2017; collection; exhibited in "Am Hofe Des Pharao von Amenophis I. Bis Tutanchamun" ("At the Court of the Pharaoh from Amenhotep I to Tutankhamun"), Palais Del Arte, Paris, France, May 4 - October 27, 2002; ex-private Resandro collection, Germany, owned from 1965 to 2017; ex-Fernando Calico collection, Barcelona, Spain, acquired in 1964; accompanied by an Art Loss Register certificate, reference number S00129102 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. #149156

Condition Report:
Repaired from three large pieces with chips along break lines, with restoration to front part of face. Losses to areas of base, lower body, shoulder, nose, hieroglyphic columns, and verso as shown. Minor abrasions and nicks to astronomer's tool, hands, lettuce stalk, leopard head, and face, with softening to some finer incised details commensurate with age. Beautiful detailing visible on remaining original surfaces.