LONDON.- A rare and significant piece of ancient Egyptian history is set to be auctioned by Apollo Art Auctions on January 26, 2025. The item, a beautifully crafted alabaster shabti of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, is expected to fetch between £12,000 and £20,000.

Amenhotep III, known as "The Magnificent," ruled during the 18th Dynasty (circa 1360-1349 BC), a period of great prosperity and artistic achievement in ancient Egypt. Shabtis were funerary figurines placed in tombs to act as servants for the deceased in the afterlife. This particular shabti is of exceptional quality, depicting the pharaoh as Osiris, the god of the afterlife, holding the crook and flail—symbols of royal authority.



What makes this shabti particularly noteworthy is its royal provenance. The torso bears inscriptions of six partial columns from Chapter 6 of the Egyptian Book of the Dead, further emphasizing its importance. Its origins trace back to the tomb of Amenhotep III himself, located in the Valley of the Kings (KV22) at Thebes. The tomb’s discovery in 1799 by Napoleon’s expedition adds another layer of historical significance to the artifact.

The shabti measures 165mm x 65mm and weighs 390g. Its recent history includes time in the Prince Collection (from the 1990s to 2014) and a previous sale at Christie's, London, on April 25, 2007 (sale 7376, Lot 88).



To further assure potential bidders of its authenticity, the shabti comes with a full authentication report by Simone Musso, a consultant curator for Egyptian antiquities at the Stibbert Museum in Florence, Italy, and a member of the Nuri Archaeological Expedition.

The live auction, titled "Fine Ancient Art & Antiquities - Prince Collection," will commence at 1 PM GMT on January 26, 2025. The starting bid has been set at £8,000. This auction presents a rare opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to acquire a tangible link to one of ancient Egypt's most powerful and influential rulers.