A Rediscovered 3,500-Year-Old Egyptian Papyrus Fragment to Sell at Auction

A rare and astonishing collection of Ancient Egyptian artefacts rediscovered in a lady’s lifelong hobby collection will go under the hammer with Catherine Southon Auctioneers on Wednesday 9th September.

An Extraordinary Provenance

A remarkable collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts, including a 3,500-year-old fragment from the Book of the Dead of Amenhotep, has been rediscovered from a deceased estate of a lady whose lifelong passion for Egypt began with a visit to the country during the 1960s.

The collection will be offered for sale by Catherine Southon Auctioneers on Wednesday 9th September, providing collectors and institutions with a rare opportunity to acquire objects of both archaeological and historical significance.

The collection came to light during the dispersal of the lady’s estate. Her extensive reference library revealed the depth of her fascination with ancient Egypt, a passion that developed following her visit to Egypt in the late 1960s and continued through her participation in archaeological ‘digs’ there during the 1970s. Many of the items in the collection were acquired at least the early 1970s if not before then, possibly inherited or from auction.

A Small, Yet Significant Collection

Despite its relatively small size, the collection contains several extraordinary objects:

Among the highlights is a large framed Egyptian papyrus fragment dating to circa 500–300 BC, which academic specialists have confirmed forms part of a funerary papyrus. Featuring extensive hieratic script and illustrations depicting funerary rituals and deities, the fragment is particularly notable for its large scale and elaborate depictions. It carries an estimate of £10,000–£15,000.

Perhaps the most exciting discovery is a fragment from the Book of the Dead of Amenhotep, Overseer of Builders of Amun, dating to circa 1450–1350 BC. At approximately 3,500 years old, the fragment forms part of a funerary manuscript, other fragments of which are held in prestigious collections including the British Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and Queensland Museum. The rediscovery of this previously overlooked fragment has generated considerable enthusiasm among academics. It is offered with an estimate of £6,000–£10,000.

Other notable objects include a Late Period bronze cat’s head, dating to 664–332 BC and estimated at £2,500–£3,500, and a miniature bronze sarcophagus with a Horus finial, also from the Late Period, estimated at £2,000–£3,000.

Catherine Southon said:

“It is an incredibly exciting collection that we are delighted to be able to auction. The rediscovery of the fragment from the Book of the Dead of Amenhotep is particularly exciting, given that other sections of the same manuscript are now held in some of the world’s leading museums. It is a wonderful example of how private collections can continue to make an important contribution to scholarship and the art market.”

The collection is a testament to the lady’s lifelong enthusiasm for ancient Egypt. While modest in number, the objects are far from modest in significance. The collection will no doubt draw attention from serious academics and the art market, particularly given its rarity and scholarly importance. The sale on Wednesday 9th September will offer collectors, museums, academics, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire pieces with remarkable provenance and historical interest.