BUST OF A STATUE OF A GREAT GOVERNOR OF SAÏS IN GRAUWACKE Egyptian art, Sais, Late Period, second half of Dynasty XXVI Fragmentary statue of a great governor of Sais, whose name has disappeared in the gap, in bust form, bare-chested, wearing a smooth wig, leaning against a pillar engraved with three columns of hieroglyphic inscriptions. Very well polished. Visible cracks. Height 31 cm (max.) Origin : Probably from the temple of Neith at Saïs; Former Commander Sir John Francis Whitaker Maitland (1903-1977) collection; His sale, Sotheby's, London, 30 April 1935, described as lot no. 24 with reproduction plate III of lot no. 22; Consigned for the archives by Sir Alan Gardiner on the occasion of this sale; Collection of Dr F., Switzerland, from the years 1960; Then inherited by the current owner, collection Parisian private collection An Egyptian graywacke bust of a governor, Sais, Late Period, second half of the 26th Dynasty Provenance : Probably from the Temple of Neith at Sais; Former Collection of Commander Sir John Francis Whitaker Maitland (1903-1977); Collection sale, Sotheby's, London, 30 April 1935, described as lot no. 24 with reproduction on plate II of lot no. 22; Consigned by Sir Alan Gardiner on the occasion of this sale; Collection of Dr F., Switzerland, since the 1960; Then by inheritance to the present owner, private Parisian collection The figure, wearing a wig with a purse, must have been dressed in a simple loincloth. What remains of the inscriptions on the back support can be reduced to extracts from an Appeal to Passers-by. In it, the man declares his loyalty to the patron saint of Sais, Neith, reminding us that "he who deviates from his path is doomed to be condemned". After being in the possession of Sir John Francis Whitaker Maitland (1903-1977), the object was offered for sale in London at Sotheby's on 30 April 1935; it is listed as lot 24 in the catalogue, where its description is accompanied by a photograph, reproduced on pl. III, which is in fact that of lot 22. On this occasion, some of its inscriptions were copied by Sir Alan Gardiner (1879-1963), the famous English Egyptologist, which confirms its presence in this sale (Gardiner, Notebook 126, p. 12).