The New York-based Safani Gallery, will offer the Posno Sarcophagus, a rare anthropoid sarcophagus lid and coffin with its mummy board at Masterpiece London, it was announced by Luciano deMarsillac, Associate Director of the gallery.  Masterpiece London opens on June 28 through July 4 on the South Grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London SW3.

"This ensemble represents an important chapter in the history of ancient Egyptian funerary art because it was created during Dynasty XXI of the Third Intermediate Period (about 1000-900 BC)," said deMarsillac.  "It was a time of international political upheaval, often termed the Dark Ages, when Egypt's position as the dominant world power waned."

According to deMarsillac, Gustav Posno ranks among the famous collectors of antiquities of the 19th century. Once established in Cairo he began to collect antiquities, which he exhibited for the first time in 1874.  In 1883, most of the collection was sold to the Louvre and other important European museums. This ensemble remained with Posno's heirs until 2004, when it was sold along with other masterpieces and represents an important chapter in the history of Egyptian funerary art.

Throughout Dynasty XXI (ca. 1000-900 BC), a time of political upheaval when the tombs of the rich and famous pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings were systematically looted, the Egyptian elite at Thebes consciously chose to depict the extraordinary array of funerary images and inscriptions on their sarcophagi rather than on the walls of sumptuously decorated tombs.  These sarcophagi, containing all the spells and images necessary in the hereafter, were therefore self-sufficient and independent from other funerary equipment, which might eventually be unavailable.  This development, for a relatively brief period of time, brought about the most ornate and beautifully decorated sarcophagi in ancient Egypt.

The lid, with its heart-shaped face and idealizing features is dominated by large, wide-open eyes, and equally large ears, their relative proportions intended to provide unimpeded sight and hearing in the hereafter.  The tripartite wig is held in place by a wide diadem with a lotus flower.  Below, the separately-made hands which project over the floral, broad collar allude to the occupant's regained tactile abilities.  The remainder of the lid, is divided into a number of registers, filled with vignettes which represent abbreviated versions of those normally associated with the walls of tombs, all meant to facilitate entry and permanence in the hereafter.  Osiris, the god of resurrection, scarab beetles, the sky goddess Nut, and ba-birds are all represented.  The mummy board and coffin display the same and related figures and symbols.

About Safani Gallery

Established in 1998 by Alan Safani, the Safani Gallery specializes in museum-quality works of art from ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt and the Near East.  With its prominent position in the international market for ancient art, Safani numbers among their clientele the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Detroit Institute of Fine Arts, the Freer Gallery of Art, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Stuttgart Museum of Art, the Louvre, the J. Paul Getty Museum, as well as other prominent public and private collections.  For more information visit www.safani.com

About Masterpiece London

Masterpiece London is no ordinary antiques fair, but a forum for distinctive design and aesthetic excellence. It showcases the best of best in fine and decorative arts with premium collectors' items such as classic cars, fine wines, exquisite jewelry and design from around the world and will take place from June 28- July 4 2012 (with a Preview on June 27) on the South Grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London SW3.

2012 Opening Times:

PREVIEW

Wednesday June 27, 11.00-22.00

CHARITY PARTY IN SUPPORT OF CLIC SARGENT - CLIC Sargent is the UK's leading cancer charity for children and young people. For further information on the charity, please visit www.clicsargent.org.uk

Tuesday July 3, 19:00-22:00

OPENING TIMES

Thursday June 28, 11.00- 21.00

Saturday June 30 & Sunday July 1, 11.00-19.00

Friday June 29 & Monday July 2 to Wednesday 4, 11.00-21.00

Ticket Prices:

Preview Ticket: $160 per person - limited availability

Public Ticket: $30 per person

Charity Party Ticket: $235 per person

2012 Box Office Details:

Tickets can be purchased online at www.masterpiecefair.com from January 3 2012

For the latest news and developments go to www.masterpiecefair.com, join our Facebook group Masterpiece London or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MasterpieceLndn