Ancient Egyptian Wooden Sarcophagus & Louis XVI-Style Mahogany Clock Stand Out in Freeman’s The Tastemaker Sale

Ancient Egyptians were obsessed with reaching eternity following the death of the god Osiris by his brother Set. Isis, Osiris’ devoted wife, collected his body parts with the aid of the other gods to restore her husband. Thus, Osiris became the first mummy and the mythological basis for Egyptian embalming practices. It was believed that the deceased wrapped inside the sarcophagus would be brought to life if their name was called again. The earliest known stone sarcophagi were used by Egyptian pharaohs of the third dynasty (about 2686 to 2613 B.C.E.). These were designed to remain above ground. An ancient Egyptian wooden sarcophagus front (circa 664 to 332 B.C.E.) is a leading lot in The Tastemaker auction, presented by Freeman’s. This sarcophagus was created from carved wood depicting a male figure. He wears a wig with a wide beaded covering over his chest. The male figure was created using pigment and gesso. The face is colored in yellow-gold pigment. The reverse is unadorned but with small remnants of the wrappings still attached, raised on a bespoke mount.

Also available is a Louis XVI-style gilt-bronze mounted mahogany pedestal regulator clock. This clock was modeled after the 1785 model attributed to the Studio of Jean-Henri Riesener (French, 1734 – 1806). The one available in the auction was created by François Linke (French, 1855 – 1946), with works by Dufaud between 1902 to 1910. The clock has three parts of gilt bronze mounts. The upper section with enamel dial is inscribed “F. Linke/ A Paris.” The back with a door revealing mechanism is surrounded by gilt bronze celestial putti holding garlands. The lower two parts include a tapered pedestal with a case door on paw-form feet decorated with floral garlands, urns, cornucopias, horns, and foliate motifs. Collectors can also consider fine porcelain and ceramics, luxurious Persian rugs, intricately crafted American- and European-made furniture, French and Spanish paintings, and glass works by Edward F. Caldwell & Co. and Tiffany Studios. View the complete catalog of The Tastemaker auction and register to bid by visiting Freeman’s.