The obverse with a scene of Anubis recumbent on a pylon-shaped shrine with a standing sceptre in front; the reverse painted with a djed pillar flanked by two knots of Isis, remains of polychrome painted pigment; three piercings to both sides of the top; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 71 grams, 85 mm wide (223 grams total, 10.5 cm including stand)Fine condition.

From an early 20th century collection.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11104-182800.

Cf. The British Museum, museum number EA29370, for similar; Feucht, E., Pektorale nichtköniglicher Personen, (ÄB 22), Wiesbaden, 1971, pls.XXIII-XXIV, for obverse and XXXVI, esp. 214, for reverse.

Pectorals worn by the living were made from metal, usually gold; for the dead, glazed composition was an acceptable substitute, indicating the funerary nature of such objects. Circular piercings have been made through the cavetto cornice, enabling the piece to be stitched to the bandages covering a mummy's chest. The shape of the pectoral imitates that of a pylon, the rectangular tower which flanked the gateway into an Egyptian temple. The cavetto cornice is decorated with a winged and gilded sun-disk. All four sides are adorned with a block pattern. A jackal reclining on a pylon-shaped shrine represents Anubis, god of embalming. He has a magical tie or scarf around his neck and is shown with a flagellum. Such imagery is found in New Kingdom tombs at Thebes. In front of the shrine is the sekhem sceptre of power. The reverse depicts a djed pillar, believed to represent the backbone with ribs of Osiris, god of the dead, flanked by the Girdle of Isis or 'tit' amulet. Both were standard funerary amulets.

Finely knapped bifacial hand axe of triangular form with rounded butt; with printed and inked 'MADIJEN / EI:190M / THEBES / 1905' findspot label; with custom-made display stand. 480 grams total, 16.5 cm

Found Madijen, Thebes, 1905.
Old German collection, before 1920.

Comprising: a blue-glazed eye of Horus amulet with bifacial detailing, pierced for suspension; a glazed Shu amulet, suspended on a slender gold bar and pendant hoop; offered with a black stone stamp seal engraved with a bird standing left, pierced for suspension. 5.06 grams total, 13-26 mm

Collected since the 1970s.
Ex Everitt collection, acquired by descent 2017.

Comprising a quantity of small beads, of mixed shapes, colours and materials; each pierced for stringing. 59 grams total, 2-7 mm

UK gallery, early 2000s.

Carinated with slender cylindrical spout, stirrup-type handle and narrow foot; trace remains of painted geometric decoration. 106 grams, 79 mm high

Acquired in Europe before 1994.

Comprising over 20 hollow-formed bicones. 790 grams total, 21-96 mm

Acquired 1960s-1990s.
Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

Formed using sheet-gold in the shape of an animal bounding left, incised detailing to the coat; accompanied by a display mount. 33.78 grams total, 71 mm including stand

Ex Symes Gallery, Mayfair, London, UK.
Exhibited in 'Schythian Gold', pre 1999.

Featuring stylised horn and tufted coat detailing, the ram's face with humanesque features; curved profile. 22.2 grams, 39 mm

Collected from 1969-1999.
From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.

The keeled bow with a central bulb, integral pin and large catch-plate. 29 grams, 89 mm

From the family collection of a Surrey gentleman since before 1960.

Cf. Moon-Ja, K., ‘A study on Ancient Fibulae’ in IJCC, vol.8, no.2, 2005, pp.71-84 fig.3, for the type.

The function of the catch-plate fibulae was utilitarian and decorative, they were used for woollen clothing (Herodotus V, 87) and they have been found in houses, tombs and as votive offerings in sanctuaries. Our fibula is an early type, very often found in the graves of the Greek colonies of Southern Italy and widespread in the Magna Graecia. This typology was introduced there by the Greeks. Like all female fibulae, it functioned as a clothing fastener, usually worn as a pair on each shoulder.

Each with a squat, spherical body adorned with decoratively twisted filigree wire and granules around the equator. 1.85 grams total, 9 mm each

Collected from 1970-1999.
From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.

C-section moulding with female face, pierced at the brow. 127 grams, 10.4 cm

Acquired 1970s-1996.
Property of a North American collector.
London collection, 2016.

Cf. similar in the collection of the British Museum under accession no.1814,0704.808.

Arched bow with a central bulb and ribbed collar, integral pin and large catch-plate. 93 grams, 99 mm

From the family collection of a Surrey gentleman since before 1960.

Cf. Moon-Ja, K., ‘A study on Ancient Fibulae’ in IJCC, vol.8, no.2, 2005, pp.71-84, fig.3, for the type.

The function of the catch-plate fibulae was utilitarian and decorative, they were used for woollen clothing (Herodotus V, 87) and they have been found in houses, tombs and as votive offerings in sanctuaries. Our fibula is an early type, very often found in the graves of the Greek colonies of Southern Italy and widespread in the Magna Graecia. This typology was introduced there by the Greeks. Like all female fibulae, it functioned as a clothing fastener, usually worn as a pair on each shoulder.