Eerie Sarcophagus Bears Message for Posterity as it Heads to Auction on March 8
MONTROSE, Calif., March 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Standing at the center of an important March 8 auction of ancient antiquities is an extraordinary Egyptian sarcophagus. It's a striking piece that dates to the Late Dynastic period, around 664-332 BC.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150305/179785
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150305/179789
Anthropomorphically formed, the 66-1/2-inch coffin is hand-painted with an eerie expression on its white face, as well as black eyes and eyebrows, and crimson lips. Its "wig" and short, ribbed faux beard reflect what was presumably the height of hirsute fashion some 2,500 years ago.
No plain-Jane sarcophagus, its embellishment includes an elaborately painted collar, with bands of geometric shapes, rosettes, lotus palms and flowers. Near the bottom are five columns of hieroglyphic text. The right person to translate the message is Gabriel Vandervort, owner of Ancient Resource, the company in Montrose, California that's offering the sarcophagus at auction. Vandervort is a former writer and producer of ancient-history documentaries for History Channel, Discovery Channel and other cerebrally inclined TV networks. Antiquities are his passion, and if he doesn't know the answer to a puzzle posed by an object, he knows where to go to get an expert answer.
"As it turns out, the hieroglyphs on the sarcophagus are a written a formula for an offering to 'Osiris, who resides in Ipu.' That's modern-day Akhmin," Vandervort explained.
Those who are in the market for sarcophagi – or any ancient cultural artifact, for that matter – have two non-negotiable concerns on their minds before making a purchase, Vandervort said. "They want absolute authenticity and a dealer who will stand behind the merchandise. They want an assurance that the item is legal to purchase."
In the case of the sarcophagus headed to auction on Sunday, Vandervort says its trail of provenance is impeccable. It comes from a New York private collection and, in 1983, was purchased from Samuel Haddad Works of Art in Manhattan. Haddad acquired the historical treasure from the government of Anwar Sadat in the 1970s. The sarcophagus will travel to its next owner with ironclad documentation. Vandervort believes the historical treasure could make $80,000 to $100,000 at auction.
The auction also features Roman statues and vessels; ancient jewelry, weapons, pottery, Pre-Columbian art and two different examples of rare Byzantine footwear – "for those who want to know what it really feels like to walk like an Egyptian," Vandervort said with a laugh.
Bidders may participate in the auction by phone, live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers.com, or by leaving an absentee bid. It is not a live gallery auction. Start time: 11 a.m. Pacific Time (please note: clocks move forward by one hour on auction day). All items are unconditionally guaranteed to be authentic and legal to purchase.
Contact: 805-427-4432 or 818-425-9633; or email [email protected]. Visit www.AncientResourceAuctions.com.
Media Contact:
Gabriel Vandervort
805-427-4432
SOURCE Ancient Resource
Related Links
http://www.ancientresourceauctions.com
WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?
Newsrooms &
Influencers
Digital Media
Outlets
Journalists
Opted In
Share this article