Three Polychrome Wood Figures, Middle Kingdom/Late Period, 1987-30 B.C.

comprising two boatmen, each seated with his hands on his knees and wearing a short kilt and short wig, one with both legs advanced, each with hole in the right hand for an oar, remains of gesso and red pigment, and a figure of a falcon wearing a dotted mummy netting, remains of a tenon within a dowel hole underneath, probably from a canopic chest.

Nicolas Tano (1866-1924), Cairo, for the boatmen
de-accessioned at auction by a New England Museum

Boatmen: as described, surface somewhat worn overall, noses abraded, one figure has end of one foot broken off, checks across proper right shoulder and side of head, and area of deep abrasion across top of wig and face; falcon: minor chips and abrasions to paint particularly around lower edge, larger chip near tip of tail on proper left side, proper right eye chipped/abraded, otherwise good and as described
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The bases of the two boatmen each have a rectangular printed label underneath reading "N.Tano / Antiquities / Cairo / Egypt" within a blue bead-and-reel frame, one label inscribed in black ink with the inventory number 93, the other with 94. The base of one boatman (94) is inscribed underneath with the accession number 1991.28, the other (93) with 1991.46; the underside of the falcon is inscribed 1991.30.