Egyptian Book of the Dead, fragment of a decorated scroll, in Hieratic, on papyrus

two fragments, 280mm. by 150mm. and 110mm. by 50mm., with substantial remains of three parallel columns, the first two with 17-18 lines of text in hieratic script, the third containing the remains of a portrait of the god Shu, vignettes above each column containing men and deities, numerous holes with some loss to text, laid down on card with nineteenth-century inscription: 'Papyrus given by Dr. Abbott at Grand Cairo – February 1850' (doubtless the collector who sold the 'Abbott Papyrus' to the British Museum in 1857), framed

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate.
"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 'Book of Dead' is the modern name for an ancient Egyptian funerary text, which describes a conception of the afterlife and includes a collection of hymns, spells and instructions to allow the deceased to pass through the obstacles of the underworld. Copies were written on long papyrus scrolls and placed in the burial chamber with the deceased. The present manuscript is a fine example, and includes chapters 16, 26 and 30 (reading from right to left), which show the god Shu raising up the sun, and spells "for giving a man's heart to him in the domain of the god" and "for not keeping away from him his heart in the domain of the god". Interestingly, there is a crucial scribal error here, in that the vignette above ch.26 (furthermost on the left) is that intended for ch.64 instead. As ch.64 usually follows 30, this error is understandable, but it would have prevented his spirit from passing through to the afterlife.