Coptic Bone Doll

Carved in the round with hatched hair and low-relief facial features; mounted on a custom-made stand. 857 grams total, 17 cm high including stand



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Carved in the round figure of Bes sitting on an ellipsoid base; the god in crouching pose wearing a lionskin girdle, his forearms on his thighs and hands holding the pierced lug handles of a storage jar; the jar and Bes's head topped by a low square modius with a round opening to the top. 188 grams, 66 mm



Early 20th century South East England, UK, collection. Formerly in North American collection, 1990s. From the collection of a London, UK, gentleman. Accompanied by an academic report by Egyptologist Paul Whelan. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12376-225408.

This vessel's style continues that of New Kingdom and Third Intermediate Period kohl (eye paint) or unguent Bes-shaped containers, suggesting that it served as a household object rather than an item of funerary equipment.

Depicting a striding bull with a suspension loop on the back. 0.19 grams, 11 mm



From the private collection of the late Mrs Belinda Ellison, a long time member of the Egyptian Exploration Society, c.1940-2020.