Coptic Textile Section with Figures and Animals

Modelled as a resting duck with its neck curved around the upper body, feather detailing on the wings, tail, and body, and delicately formed head; the underside features a baboon in a posture of adoration before an obelisk, wearing a lunar disc and crescent headdress, with a neb sign below. 2.82 grams, 19 mm



From the property of a London, UK, gentleman, 1970-2000s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Baboons were observed worshipping the rising sun with raised arms, a behaviour that Egyptians interpreted as divine reverence. The scarab's imagery symbolises cosmic harmony and sacred wisdom, with the baboon (a manifestation of Thoth in his lunar aspect) showing reverence to an obelisk (a symbol of the solar god, Ra). Thus, it blends moon and sun symbolism, embodying balance, cyclical renewal, divine order, and the interplay between knowledge (Thoth) and power (Ra). The neb sign indicates lordship or possession over all the celestial forces.

Modelled in the round figure of Khonsu standing, holding the crook, flail, and long was-sceptre, with false beard and sidelock, wearing a crown consisting of a lunar crescent and disc with uraeus, and a broad collar; the eyes with sheet-silver inlays; mounted on a custom-made stand. 378 grams total, 19 cm including stand



Ex Geneva collection, Switzerland, acquired before 1980. Ex Galerie Günter Puhze GmbH, Germany, 2008. Ex Keane collection, Kent, UK. Accompanied by an original invoice from Galerie Günter Puhze GmbH. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12628-235137. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Khonsu is an ancient Egyptian god of the moon, often depicted as a young man with a sidelock, a uraeus, and headgear featuring a lunar crescent and disc. He is associated with Thoth, another moon god. Together with his father Amun and mother Mut, Khonsu forms the Theban Triad.

The scarab with lightly incised anatomical detailing, the underside with a central cartouche flanked by two rearing crowned uraei, a pair of falcons standing above the cartouche facing a smꜣ hieroglyph symbolising union (of the two lands, Upper and Lower Egypt); set into a later gold swivel ring. 4.34 grams, 26.44 mm overall, 15.68 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J 1/2, USA 5, Europe 9.32, Japan 9)



with Bonhams, London, UK, 21 October 1999, no.36. Private collection, Europe. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12370-226696. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.