Chaouabti of the doorkeeper Amenemhat inscribed... Lot 19

Chaouabti of the doorkeeper Amenemhat inscribed with a variant of chapter VI of the Book of the Dead Bituminous wood and polychrome. Late 18th dynasty, probably from the reign of Amenhotep III, circa 1390 to 1352 B.C. Height: 25 cm Provenance : Former French private collection since 1969 (affidavit signed by the seller). An Egyptian Ushabti of the Doorkeeper Amenemhat, Late 18th Dynasty, probably the Reign of Amenhotep III, c. 1390-1352 BC Osiris Amenemhat is now wearing a smooth tripartite wig that was originally striped, as indicated by the remnants of the primitive decoration on the right ear. Remains of gilding on the sides of the wig form a border. It frames a finely detailed gilded face with a pout characteristic of the period, eyes and eyebrows enhanced with black and large ears. The arms are suggested under the shroud, and there is no representation of tools. The legs are encased in a mummiform sheath. The text, which may have been stencilled, was originally laid out in nine lines. Partially erased by the disappearance of part of the second layer of bitumen, the inscription reproduces chapter VI of the Book of the Dead. The title of porter is rather vague. Indeed, the title can be widely declined, whether as Portier du temple, Portier du grenier3 , Portier du palais4 or Portier de Pharaon5 . We also note that the title of Portier is generally accompanied by other priestly titles6 such as Prêtre-oûab, Portier du domaine d'Amon or Portier de Nékhbet7 . 1 The text in red has been recreated from the work of Egyptologist Hermann Schlögl on the chaouabti of Amenemheb, as well as that of Annie Schweitzer and Claude Traunecker on the chaouabti of the Lady Kaia, both dating from the time of Amenhotep III. 2 The inversion of the banks should be noted. 3 BIFAO 103 (2003). 4 Piay statue on display at the Louvre (inventory number E 124). 5 Chaouabti by Hetepy (Musée du Louvre, inventory no. N 2684 56). 6 Chaouabtis by Nyia and Raïa (Musée du Louvre, inventory numbers N 2684 39 and N 2713). Scarabée de coeur de Penpy, Portier du domaine d'Amon (Inventory no. E 5664). 7 Bronze of the goddess Nekhbet (Musée du Louvre, inventory no. E 27210).