AN EGYPTIAN LIMESTONE SNAKE - FIRST INTERMEDIATE PERIOD TO MIDDLE KINGDOM, 2134-1640 B.C.

On a disk-shaped plinth, the snake realistically rendered, the body looped with the tapering tail crossing over the neck and body, the head raised above and resting on the body, with rounded eyes within deep elongated sockets, the triangular ears sunken, the nostrils recessed, the tongue protruding slightly from the open mouth, preserving traces of red pigment on the body, with a hieroglyphic inscription on the edge of the plinth reading, "A royal offering formula (to) iris, Lord of Busiris, Great , Lord of Abydos: Invocation-offerings of bread and beer, oxen and fowl, ."  7½ in. (19 cm.) diameter  - Price Realized: $338,500

Provenance: Collected by Gustave Jéquier (1868-1946).

Christie's. ANTIQUITIES.  4 June 2008