Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History, Stamps & Coins

Mummiform figure depicted with a tripartite wig and holding two hoes in crossed hands, with a painted seed-bag on the reverse and a headband, and a hieroglyphic legend on the lower body naming “The Osiris, Tent-Aset, justified”; repaired; mounted on a perspex base. 90 grams total, 11.7 cm including stand



From the collection of David Donlan (1947-2025), a dedicated and lifelong collector with a passion for the ancient world and the natural sciences, forming his collection from 1960s onwards, using many reputable dealers across the United Kingdom, including the well-regarded Coincraft and The Parthenon Gallery.

Openwork beaded panel depicting a winged scarab with the Four Sons of Horus, Hapy, Imsety, Qebehsenuef, and Duamutef below; restrung. 22.9 grams, 11.3 cm wide



Ex Mariaud de Serres collection, Paris, France, 1980s-1990s. Accompanied by a previously illustrated catalogue card with provenance.

Winged scarabs were often used as funerary amulets and believed to symbolise the deceased's rebirth and regeneration. The Four Sons of Horus were deities responsible for protecting the deceased's internal organs. Here, on the left, is the baboon-headed Hapy, protector of the lungs, then the human-headed Imsety, protector of the liver, followed by the falcon-headed Qebehsenuef, who protected the intestines and, finally, the erect-eared jackal-headed Duamutef on the right, who protected the stomach.

Comprising: a blue glazed scarab with the cartouche of Thutmosis III (Men-kheper-Ra) on the underside flanked by other signs; a scarab with three schematic human figures; a scarab with an open lotus flower; another with motifs on the underside; and a blue and black glass scarab with a plain underside. 6.02 grams total, 10-16 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

Slender in profile with tripartite wig and incised tools in the crossed hands, net to the left shoulder; dorsal pillar with impressed hieroglyphic legend. 23.6 grams, 89 mm



Ex Alexander Crawford Collection. From the collection of David Donlan (1947-2025), a dedicated and lifelong collector with a passion for the ancient world and the natural sciences, forming his collection from 1960s onwards, using many reputable dealers across the United Kingdom, including the well-regarded Coincraft and The Parthenon Gallery.

Alexander Crawford Lamb (1843-1897) was a Scottish hotelier, art collector, antiquarian and collector of paintings, literary works, china, furniture, antiquities and other ephemera and memorabilia. His most notable literary achievement was the publication of a massive volume entitled Dundee: Its Quaint and Historic Buildings, 1895.

Standing on a rectangular plinth with head raised and tail curled above the hindquarters, barrel-shaped body with incised detailing at the shoulders and hips, traces of a white and reddish brown coating; partially restored; old collector's labels to underside '51' and 'N13234'. 42.8 grams, 60 mm



Ex Baden-Württemberg, Germany, formed since ca.1930. Private collection, Saarland, Germany. Thereafter, Michael Schrôder, Germany. Consigned to DAWO Auktion, 18 February 2017, no.824. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00123279.

The ancient Egyptians kept pet monkeys (baboons as well as the more slender guenons) for amusement and as status symbols. These animals played around the house and accompanied the master on outings.

Depicted nude and standing on a rectangular base, with a large head, and short arms resting above his bendy legs. 4.87 grams, 32 mm



From an early 20th century UK collection. Accompanied by a previously illustrated catalogue card with provenance.

Herodotus mentions Pataikos as a dwarf-like depiction of Ptah, although the ancient Egyptian name of the god remains unclear. These small amulets symbolise Ptah’s immense magical power, which helps to protect the wearer from dangerous creatures such as snakes and crocodiles. The role of the deity in the funerary sphere is explained in Spell 164 of the Book of the Dead, where Pataikos is invoked to safeguard the deceased’s heart against attacks by enemies and against the decay of the body.

Oval body with domed upper face and piecrust rim, underside with a cartouche containing the signs neb-ka-raand flanked by stylised cobra and falcon signs. 1.67 grams, 19 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

With high-relief plant motifs within thick rectilinear borders; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 730 grams total, 48.5 cm wide



Previously belonging to J Stewart, Mayfair, London, UK; acquired in the early 1980s. Property of a Middlesex gentleman.

An oval plaque pierced longitudinally, one side with a reclining lion, the other with hieroglyphs. 1.92 grams, 18 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

Comprising: four vessel- or cartouche-shaped inlays, a djed pillar, and two standing figures. 8.98 grma total, 31-37 mm



From a 20th century UK collection.

Composed mainly of melon, oblate and spherical beads, with two large discoid beads as a central feature, restrung. 34 grams, 33.7 cm



Ex Ancient Art Shop, Windsor, UK, 1990s. Ex private West County, UK, collection.

Green glazed amulet with two wedjats at the top and the mirror image below, pierced through the centre for suspension. 11.83 grams, 33 mm



From an early 20th century UK collection. Accompanied by a previously illustrated catalogue card with provenance.