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From  Nicolas.

30th June '10.

Nicolas asks  what we think about this pottery shabti he bought.

Just under 200 mm.

Came with a certificate which states that it is Ramesside, 19th/20th dynasty and renders the inscription as Ramses-Em-Cha.

  







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Though I am informed that the certificate is not by the seller/dealer but comes from  an academic and someone who one might reasonably expect to know about shabtis, I must say that there are aspects which trouble me.

  • The glyphs are very hesistantly done and the end of the inscription is essentially incomplete is it not?
  • The face is "unusul" in some ways.
  • The elbows seem to me to be too smooth: they should stick out more.
  • The surface looks oddly clean.

  • And that odd feeling one sometimes gets.....something is wrong here.

What do others think?

Have just recceived a copy of the COA. This is from it. I don't intend showing the whole COA in order to preserve the privacy of the author.

 



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From Dik.

30th June '10

Yes, it is a new fake. Not for showing on the website why it is wrong , this will only educate the fakers.

 

From Jean.

I can not remember an  shabti for 19/20th item painted in this way.

I agree with Dik, don't want to give help to fakers but there is something wrong in the face area; which is characteristic of much much later.

Also there is a certain matter of colour of certain parts which is not impossible but it is very rare.

I don't trust this item. To many things that does not fit.

  

 

July 1st

I have just discovered that there have been at least five such pieces, varying in size from 16cm to 20cm. All with slight differences but the same inscription. The seller actually sold one, at 17.5cm on ebay.

 

Identity of seller deliberately  obscurred while negotiations go on for it's return and refund.

 




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From Benjie

1sy July

Hiya, I recognize the German language certificate and the layout. There will , if I am correct, be an email address there with the certificate  issuers details. He should be contacted to ascertain how certain he is.

I agree; it is not good. Lots wrong there.

  • Yes, the present owner has emailed him.

 

 From Jean again

Now I see number two ; these are fakes!

 

 

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Useful to look at some genuine 19th and 20th dynasty shabtis and compare.

Here are some in various materials.

They illustrate the prevailing stylistic features.

 



19 dynasty shabtis



20th dynasty shabtis

 

I don't want to comment in any detail. But think about what special features are normally found on shabtis of this period; in pottery as distinct from wood or polychrome faience.

And where does one see eyes like these?

 

 



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Even  more instructive, is  think,  putting one of these into the picture.

 



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From Niek.

July 2nd.

They scream fake!

 

  • The seller refuses to take it back but offers to re-sell it for Nicolas. This seems odd as the seller writes on his ebay listings : "full money back guarantee".
  • We do still hope to have some comment from the person who issued the certificate of authenticity.

 

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