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

Green-glazed amulet with two wedjat eyes at the top and a mirror image below, pierced longitudinally 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.

Comprising: an orbiculus, in red-purple wool and coarse linen, with geometric decoration; a heart-shaped bud in red, dark blue, green, and yellow wool; a fragment of a clavus with plant ornaments, in brown, yellow, green and dark blue purple wool; and a further orbiculus, with a deep blue-violet background and geometric decorative motifs outlined in raw wool, featuring fine honeycomb work and left-hand twist in red, blue, and yellow wool. 9.75 grams total, 7.5-13.4 cm



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

The fragments are decorative parts of tunics. These are fabrics of great decorative finesse, with some elements displaying an unusual and extremely well-preserved colour palette. The plant designs are related to the so-called Nilotic decorative pattern.

Plano-convex in section, with a segmented upper face; the underside features an incuse design of a winged scarab, two perching Horus falcons, and a winged uraeus above, with a frieze of four cobras interspersed with three nefer signs below; supplied with an impression. 3.53 grams, 19 mm



Acquired from Derek Content, 24 June 1975. Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent. Accompanied by an original handwritten invoice from Derek Content, dated 24 June 1975.

The body displaying the characteristic shape combining human and falcon ocular imagery, the brow and pupil detailed in black faience, pierced longitudinally for suspension. 8.34 grams, 41 mm



Early 20th century UK collection. Accompanied by a previous catalogue information page.

The wedjat-eye amulet depicts Horus’s healed eye, blending human and falconine features. Its ancient Egyptian name means ‘the one that is sound’. According to myth, Seth wounded or took the eye, and Thoth later restored it. Believed to offer protection, healing, and regeneration, the popular amulet was worn by the living and the dead.

The upper side is modelled as a scarab with a stylised head, prothorax, elytra, and legs; the underside bearing a rampant lion and a statant winged gryphon. 8.35 grams, 21 mm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate, no.3095.WW. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate no.12715-234628.

Large portion of a tunic featuring pairs of 'clavi' decorated with an alternating sequence of shield-bearing hunters, lions, and rabbits; on the right lower side, an ornamental tabula; white linen warp with S-twist, tapestry-woven figures. 148 grams total including paper folder, 74 cm



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

The theme of rabbits or hares, in association with other characters and animals of the Dionysian thiasos (like the lions), in a hunting setting, has notable parallels. Such representations are linked to narratives of the Dionysian cycle. However, the hunting scene—considered by the Romans the best exercise for military training—may imply a strong connection to the military context.

Lentoid in section with two side lugs and a suspension loop on the top. 4.7 grams, 25 mm



London gentleman's collection, 1970-1990s, by descent.

Ancient Egyptians regarded the heart (ib) as the seat of intelligence, emotions, behaviour, and memory. During the ‘Weighing of the Heart’ ceremony, the heart spoke for the deceased before Osiris and accounted for their actions. For this reason, Egyptians placed heart amulets on mummies to protect the organ and secure a favourable judgement.

Comprising a carved scarab in a gold frame with mounting rings suitable for use as a ring bezel; the underside features a trilinear looped guilloche motif flanking two ankh motifs. 2.63 grams, 20 mm



Acquired from Derek Content, 20 May 1975. Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent. Accompanied by an original handwritten invoice from Derek Content, dated 20 May 1975.

With fine anatomical detailing on the body and striated wingcase, legs folded beneath the body and flanked by a ribbed suspension loop. 7.35 grams, 24 mm



From a mid 20th century collection.

The scarab amulet was one of ancient Egypt’s most widespread symbols, signifying rebirth, transformation, and protection. Modelled on the dung beetle associated with the sun god Khepri—believed to roll the sun across the sky—it symbolised the cycle of life and renewal. Used widely from the early Middle Kingdom onward, scarabs served as funerary amulets, personal charms, and seals, often inscribed with prayers or names. They reflect both spiritual beliefs and daily life in ancient Egypt.

Trapezoidal in plan and biconvex in section, with faceted edges, bearing a depiction of Isis Lactans; pierced for suspension. 2.08 grams, 19 mm



Property of a London, UK, gentleman, 1970-2000.

Comprising a purple-red wool orbiculus on linen, decorated with geometric patterns; a clavus fragment featuring a double row of vegetal interlaces in natural and dark blue wool (S-twist); a fragment of green, red, and blue wool textile on linen, decorated with vegetal motifs; and an indistinct linen fragment with traces of geometric borders. 30 grams total, 13-27 cm



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

The fragments are decorative parts of tunics. These are fabrics of great decorative finesse, with some elements displaying an unusual and extremely well-preserved colour palette. The plant designs are related to the so-called Nilotic decorative pattern.

Carved as a fish in profile with tail and fins, circular eye detail; chipped to the top. 2.5 grams, 39 mm



London, UK, art market, 1980s. Private collection, London, UK.