ostracon ancient art
catalogue

Egyptian Wall Fragment with Ba-Birds, New Kingdom to Early Late Period, 1570-525 BC

Sandstone sunk relief showing a group of three saddle-billed storks striding to the right.

The hieroglyph is a monogram and listed as G30 with Gardiner. The multiple birds (b3w) are a plural  meaning the power inherent in the ba. The sign can be also translated as 'souls of the deceased or of the gods'.

The text of the column starts with a partially damaged sign on top and is followed by a waterline (n). The transcription n b3w could be understood as: 'for the souls of'.

Detailed carving with remains of red pigment on the bird’s beaks, tails and legs. Blue pigment for their bodies, the waterline and the vertical lines framing the text. The wall with traces of applied white. Reconstituted from two pieces.

H. 12.8 cm (5 in), H. with stand 17.3 cm (6.8 in)

Zurich private collection, formed 1949-1959

5200 USD