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_200x200.jpg "Coptic Marble Liturgical Vessel Fragment with Inscription")
_900x900.jpg "Coptic Marble Liturgical Vessel Fragment with Inscription")
_200x200.jpg "Coptic Marble Liturgical Vessel Fragment with Inscription")
.jpg "Coptic Marble Liturgical Vessel Fragment with Inscription")
.jpg "Coptic Marble Liturgical Vessel Fragment with Inscription")
LOT 0029
Coptic Marble Liturgical Vessel Fragment with Inscription
6TH CENTURY A.D.
2 1/8 in. (87 grams, 55 mm).
Tongue-shaped with low rounded pad on the underside, raised edge with low-relief decoration of grape vines and leaves, the edge with pairs of opposing doves eating grapes; dedicatory Demotic inscription on the underside.
ProvenanceAcquired in the mid 1980s-1990s.
Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent.
Private collection, since the late 1990s.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12575-232108.
See Atalla, N.S., Coptic Art, Sculptures, Architecture, L'Art Copte, II, Cairo, 1989, figs. pp.109ff., for similar carved interlaces; Rutschowscaya, M.H., Benazeth, D., L’Art Copte en Égypte, 2000 ans de Christianisme, Paris, 2000, figs.109-118; Poupaki, E., ‘Early Byzantine Marble Vases from Kos Island, Dodecanese, Greece’ in Diamanti, C., Vassiliou A. (eds.), Eν Σοφίᾳ μαθητεύσαντες, Essays in Byzantine Material Culture and Society in Honour of Sophia Kalopissi-Verti, Oxford, 2019, figs.2-3, for a possible parallel.
FootnotesThese vessels were used as liturgical objects for church offerings or ritual, and were extensively employed from late antiquity in ecclesiastical contexts.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0029
Coptic Marble Liturgical Vessel Fragment with Inscription
Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,053
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Egyptian Faience Eye of Horus in Gold Pendant
Late Period, 664-332 B.C. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £124
Comprising a turquoise-glazed wedjat amulet set in a 14-carat gold pendant mount. 1.09 grams, 14 mm
Ex important German collection, 1960-1990.
The wedjat-eye amulet (also called the Eye of Horus) became one of the most recognisable symbols in ancient Egyptian culture. It signifies protection, healing, and restoration. In myth, Horus lost his eye during his battle with Seth, and it was later magically restored, symbolising healing and the return to wholeness. The Eye of Horus came to embody divine power and protection, and was often used in amulets to safeguard and promote well-being. -
Egypto-Roman Seated Limestone Statuette of Bes
Ptolemaic-Roman Period, circa 332 B.C.-300 A.D.Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000 (+bp*)
Current Winning Bid: £1,000
Modelled in the round in a crouching pose on a rectangular base; the beard modelled in hanks with curled ends, the eyes recessed to accept inserts, mouth gaping; animal head amulet on the chest suspended on a cord; socket to reverse; chipped. 942 grams, 18.5 cm
Bonhams, London, 4 July 1995, no.36. Private collection, New York, USA. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13294-255443.
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 also believed to shield them from snakes. -
Egyptian and Phoenician Stone Scarab Group
Second Intermediate Period, circa 1650 B.C. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £286
Comprising: one with interlocking spirals; one depicting an adult and child with the hieroglyphs for gold (nbw) and the sun disc above; one bearing the schematic image of Bes; one pink stone scaraboid with two birds with open wings and other symbols; and one with a kneeling figure with hand to mouth. 4.85 grams total, 9-14 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.
