The box is a masterpiece of craftsmanship that ranks among the finest examples of decorative woodwork to survive from ancient Egypt. The core of the fragments is of cedar wood, decorated with inlays and veneers of ebony and ivory embellished with gilding. The larger fragment is decorated with papyrus plants and the smaller fragment has a geometric pattern. Together, these fragments offer important information about the decorative pattern and symbolism of the box, with which they will now be reunited.

Provenance

Acquired by a German collector in 1965, exported to Germany prior to 1970; sold Eberwein Antike Kunst in Göttingen, Germany; sold Charles Ede Ltd. London; 2015.