An Egyptian Gneiss Fragment of a Kneeling Figure
Late Period, 26th Dynasty, 664-525 B.C.
Height 11 1/2 inches (29.21 cm).
Property from a New York Collection

Provenance:
Eberhard Thiem (1939-2022), Germany.
Edward H. Merrin Gallery, acquired from the above in the 1990s; thence by descent.

This lower half of a naophorous statue emerges from the rich tapestry of ancient Egyptian religious statuary, flourishing during the Late Period. Crafted from gneiss, a stone prized for its durability and aesthetic allure, this fragment speaks to the reverence and importance bestowed upon such representations in ritualistic contexts. Likely originating from Sa el-Hagar, ancient Sais, this fragment embodies not only the customary production of stone figures as eternal offerings to the divine but also holds a profound connection to a city steeped in royal history. Sais, a former royal residence and burial ground for pharaohs during the 26th Dynasty, symbolizes the intersection of spiritual devotion and political power, underscoring the deep significance of this period in Egyptian civilization. A translation of the hieroglyphs is available upon request.