Egyptian ostracon with Greek text

Egyptian ostracon with Greek text
ITEM: Ostracon with Greek text
MATERIAL: Pottery
CULTURE: Egyptian
PERIOD: Ptolemaic period, 3rd - 1st Century B.C
DIMENSIONS: 82 mm x 95 mm 6 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex Swedish private collection, John Ingels (1925 - 2016), John Ingels worked as a painter, curator, filmmaker and tour guide with heart and soul in his home region of Leksand. He eventually became very popular and acquired archaeological artefacts during his stays in Egypt and Italy. He made the 1962 film ‘Egyptian Monuments’ with the important purpose of saving the temple of Abu Simbel. Several of the objects from this auction were exhibited in local shops and installations in Leksand during the 1970s and 1990s. Some of the objects were acquired abroad in England, Egypt and Israel, among others, and were brought to Sweden in the 1960s.

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

Egyptian ostraca were pieces of pottery shards or limestone flakes used as writing or drawing surfaces in ancient Egypt, often serving as practical and affordable alternatives to papyrus. The term "ostracon" (plural: ostraca) originates from the Greek word for "potsherd, " and these pieces were widely used in daily life for notes, drafts, or sketches. Since ostraca were readily available, they became popular for informal or temporary writings, including accounts, personal letters, and even school exercises. This usage was common among scribes, who would practice their writing or create quick drafts before committing text to more valuable materials. The durability of pottery and stone has allowed many ostraca to survive through the centuries, providing unique insights into the everyday life of ancient Egyptians.

Ostraca also played a significant role in Egyptian art and storytelling, as many of them contain sketches, religious imagery, and even preliminary designs for tomb paintings or statues. Artists often used ostraca to practice intricate figures or scenes, including depictions of gods, animals, or mythological events. Some ostraca reveal humorous scenes or caricatures, suggesting that Egyptian artists had a playful side as well. For instance, some ostraca display animals in human-like activities, such as mice acting as soldiers or cats interacting with geese, which may have served as comic relief or satire. These sketches showcase the skill and imagination of Egyptian artists, while the variety of subjects reveals the broad scope of Egyptian society's interests and beliefs.

Measurement:	9.5 x 8.2 cm
Depth:	0.6 cm