A Set of Four Egyptian Alabaster Canopic Jars, 26th Dynasty, 664-525 B.C.

belonging to the High Priest Psamtik, "Great of Fire" and "Controller of the Two Thrones", of Thoth at Hermopolis Magna, each of slightly flaring ovoid form carved with frontal panels containing columns of inscription, and surmounted by lids representing the Four Sons of Horus, from the left jackal-headed Duamutef, protector of the stomach, wearing an incised broad collar, falcon-headed Qehbusenuef, protector of the intestines, with large carefully shaped eyes, human-headed Imsety, protector of the liver, with finely carved face and traces of black pigment on the eyes, and baboon-headed Hapy, protector of the lungs, with traces of black pigment on the eyes and incised straight mouth.

Harold S. Vanderbilt  (1884-1970), Newport and Palm Beach
Eleanor E. Funkhouser, Mt. Airy Farm, Mt. Jackson, Virginia, received as a gift from the above
by descent to the present owner

All jars intact and good condition with minor pitting and abrasions on inside of rim, all with areas of brownish staining as shown in catalogue. Jackal lid has chips on tips of ears; human-headed lid has chipped nose; baboon-headed lid in good condition; falcon-headed lid has chipped beak. All four jars are completely covered in a thick layer of modern dust and grime and could use some cleaning.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The inscriptions contain prayers and record the name of the owner of the jars, the High Priest Psamtik, and name each of the Four Sons of Horus and their respective responsible goddess. Other examples of complete sets with their lids are in the Museo Gregoriano Egizio, Vatican City (G. Botti and P. Romanelli, Le Sculture del Museo Gregoriano Egizio, Vatican City, 1951, nos. 67-70), Liverpool Museum (P.Bienkowski and A. Tooley, Gifts of the Nile: Ancient Egyptian Arts and Crafts in the Liverpool Museum, 1995, pl. 114), the A.V. Lane Collection, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Cairo, JE 85915, painted alabaster jars of Psusennes I, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (S. D’Auria, P. Lacovara, and C.H.Roehrig, Mummies & Magic, The Funerary Arts of Ancient Egypt, Boston, 1998, no. 137); also compare Sotheby’s, New York, November 28th, 1990, no. 67 and December 15th, 2016, no. 7. 

The Vanderbilt family traveled to Egypt in 1887, a journey which included the very young Harold Stirling Vanderbilt and his older sister Consuelo, later Duchess of Marlborough. Two albums of photographs by Antonio Beato, now housed at the University of California, were probably assembled to chronicle that trip.