Catalogue Général des Antiquités Égyptiennes du Musée du Caire. Statues et Statuettes de Rois et de Particuliers : Nos. 42001-42138 (Vol. 1); Nos. 42139-42191 (Vol. 2); Nos. 42192-42250 (Vol. 3). 3-vol. set (Complete)
Le Caire (Cairo): Institut Français d'Archeologie Orientale, 1906 (Vol. 1); 1909 (Vol. 2); 1914 (Vol. 3). First edition. Hardcover. Folio (13 1/2 x 10"). [6], ii, 89, [3]pp (Text), lxxix (79) leaves (Plates) (Vol. 1); [4], 60pp (Text), liii (53) leaves (Plates) (Vol. 2); [4], 103, [1], liii (53) leaves (Plates) (Vol. 3). Modern blue cloth, with gold lettering to spines. Title pages in red and black lettering.
This exceptional 3-vol. set is a catalogue of the statues and statuettes of kings and particuliars discovered in 1903 by French Egyptologist George Legrain. Legrain discovered a cache of nearly eight hundred stone statues and seventeen thousand bronzes, as well as other artifacts. They were buried in the north-west section of the courtyard of the Temple of Amun, in front of the Seventh Pylon. This is now known as the Cachette Court of the Precinct of Amun-Re - which is one of the four main temple enclosures that make up the immense Karnak Temple Complex. Among those 800 stone statues, there were more than 350 Block statues. This was the largest Egyptian statue hoard ever recorded. It is generally believed that the hoard was ritually buried by temple priests in the Ptolemaic period to relieve the crowding of private offerings given over the centuries. The work of unearthing all these objects - made difficult by the high water table - lasted until 1907. Most of the statues ended up in the Cairo Museum, but also at other museums around the world. The objects date mostly from the New Kingdom up to the end of the Ptolemaic period. Some objects from the Old and Middle Kingdoms were also found. From the Old Kingdom, the lower part of a striding statue of the 5th Dynasty King Niuserre was found. There are more finds from the Middle Kingdom, such as the royal statues of Senusret I, Senusret III and Amenemhet III.
Each volume is splendidly illustrated with numerous full-page photogravures of some of the most spectacular statues and statuettes.
Ex-library bookplate on inside of each front cover, and pocket on inside of back covers. Ex-library stamp to top and bottom edges. Minor age-toning along paper margin. Text in French. Bindings in overall very good, interior in good+ to very good condition. g+ to vg. Item #46003
Price: $1,250.00