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

Slender mummiform type standing on an integral plinth, wearing a lappet wig with crossed arms holding agricultural tools; plain, broad dorsal pillar; with an old collector's note: 'Ancient Egyptian Exceedingly fine statuette in beautiful blue glaze B.C. 700 A very choice & desirable specimen from Lord Grenfell's collection. Excavated at Thebes'; mounted on a custom-made stand with label on the underside: 'Egyptian B.C. 700 Lord Grenfell's Collection. Excavated at Thebes'. 28 grams, 10.8 cm (38 grams total, 12.6 cm high including stand)



Excavated Thebes, Egypt. Ex Lord Grenfell's (1896-1926) collection, UK. From the estate of a deceased Sussex private collector since the early 20th century.

Carved in a typical pose, sitting on its haunches with its tail curving around the right side, its front paws resting on its knees and protruding beneath its thick furry pelt, with incised detailing, its feet either side of the phallus, the head with bulbous, striated hair on either side, chipped, snout restored; seated on a high shrine-shaped plinth with squared front and rounded back, featuring a cavetto cornice and roll detailing on the upper part. 1.15 kg, 15 cm



From a deceased American estate, 1970-1989. with Bonhams, London, 28 October 2009, no.35. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate no.12368-226706.

The baboon was an animal manifestation of the god Thoth, the patron deity of Hermopolis Magna, who was revered for his association with knowledge, writing, and healing.

Including scarab, scaraboid and other types with incised hieroglyphs and other symbols. 6.3 grams total, 9-14 mm



Ex 1990s collection.

The dwarf god depicted in a characteristic bandy-legged stance, with his hands on his hips and a fearsome expression, wearing a plumed headdress; the deep blue glaze highlighted in yellow; set in a metal casing with hinged pins on the reverse and a red jasper insert depicting four plumes beneath his feet. 13.7 grams, 52 mm



Early 20th century UK collection. Ex A.H. collection, London, UK. Accompanied by a previous catalogue information page with provenance.

From the New Kingdom onwards, Bes became one of ancient Egypt's most popular apotropaic deities. Despite his somewhat fearsome appearance, Bes served as the patron and protector of pregnant women and children and was believed to shield them from snakes. The role of Bes as a guardian of women persisted at least until the third or fourth century A.D.

Comprising: a melon, two clenched-fist amulets, and two female figurines. 7.01 grams total, 18-26 mm



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

Comprising a decorative tunic stripe (clavus) in purple wool over coarse linen, S-twist tapestry, embroidered with stylised plants, male figures, tritons and birds, borders decorated with meanders. 14.5 grams, 44 cm



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

Among the many fragments from wool tunics are several long strips that match to form nearly full-length central pectoral clavi. They are patterned with a profusion of small figures or interlaced abstract designs, birds, plants, and animals, with a contrasting border filled with geometric motifs.

Featuring four medallions (orbiculi) in red, green, yellow, and dark blue wool, three decorated with floral and geometric motifs, the fourth featuring an eaglet figure with a meander border; tapestry weave, S-twist. 11.07 grams total, 6.3-10.7 cm



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

The orbiculi are realised in the tapestry technique. They were part of the decoration of a tunic, and the presence of the Imperial eagle, which is not a common pattern, could be related to a military tunic or to a tunic of an Imperial functionary.

Composed of alternating blue and cream annular beads, restrung with an elasticated string. 2.09 grams, 17 cm



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

Large oval stamp with plano-convex profile, plumed motif to the top, pierced for suspension; underside with hieroglyphic legend, possibly a garbled version of (A)mun-Re, lord of the thrones (of the two lands). 13.2 grams, 49 mm



Excavated from Egypt in 1914. From the private collection of Mr David Sams and his wife Elizabeth Kate Sams, gentry and amateur archaeologists who travelled to Egypt in 1914 with their daughter Ethel. Mr Sams and his wife led digging expeditions from which these items come from the family estate of Mr and Mrs Sams, by direct descent to their granddaughter.

Each of bulbous profile with pinched nose and incised eyes and mouth. 31 grams total, 33-34 mm



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

Carved with tiny lateral lugs, surmounted by a suspension loop. 1.04 grams, 15 mm



Ex London collection, 1990s.

Standing on a pillar and wearing a feather crown, his hands resting on his knees, large protruding ears and a grimacing expression. 151 grams, 13.3 cm



Acquired in Luxor, Egypt. From a private collection formed in the 1930s.