Description: A RARE AND IMPORTANT LATE DYNASTY EGYPTIAN OSTRACON
Egypt, XXI Dynasty, mid 10th century BC, terra cotta. A small shard having a sketch possibly for a wall painting or relief depicting Royal personage, likely Pasibkhaennau or "Star that rises in Thebes", presenting a jar as gift offering to a standing god, possibly mummified. The upper left portion having cartouche with royal name and light salt residue. Accompanied by paperwork from 1974-1975 showing correspondence between MacMurray College to Bruce Williams and Gustavus F. Swift from The University of Chicago- The Oriental Institute. The correspondence shows a highlighted account of the ostracon examination and explaination of its importance in material culture including an account describing the publishing of the piece by Mr. C.C. Van Siclen, the paramount expert on the material of the time.
Provenance: MacMurray College, The Wallace N. Stearns collection. Dr. Stearns gifted the material to the institution sometime during his tenure as professor of bible studies (1924-34). Professor Stearns was the honorary secretary of the Palestine Exploration Society, and American Vice President of the Egypt Exploration Society.