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_900x900.jpg "Egyptian Alabaster Mummy Eye")
_200x200.jpg "Egyptian Alabaster Mummy Eye")
.jpg "Egyptian Alabaster Mummy Eye")
LOT 0472
Egyptian Alabaster Mummy Eye
PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 332-30 B.C.
1 3/4 in. (8.65 grams, 43 mm).
An alabaster mummy eye with slightly domed profile, black stone inlay representing the iris and pupil.
ProvenanceProperty of a Staffordshire lady, 1980s.
Acquired Litchfield, Staffordshire, UK.
Property of a Sussex, UK, teacher.
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AUCTIONS:
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Egyptian Fly Amulet
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Egyptian Blue-Glazed Faience Chalice
Early Third Intermediate Period, circa 1050 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £17,550
A blue-glazed faience chalice representing the blue lotus flower with a tall, flaring cup rounded at the base, short stem with a flared foot; held in a lockable wooden presentation box with key; restored. 104 grams, 12.5 cm high
Acquired from Dr Jan Beekmans, circa 1982. UK private collection. 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 search certificate no.11599-198342.
It is thought that blue lotus chalices served cultic or votive roles in temples or in offering rituals to the dead, and the white lotus versions were used as drinking vessels. Called Seshen by the ancient Egyptians, the blue lotus symbolised solar concepts surrounding rebirth- possibly because its flowers open their petals in the morning and close them again at night. Given this connection, it is not surprising to find that the lotus features prominently in ancient Egyptian funerary art, in banqueting scenes honouring the dead and in bouquets adorning the coffin and its bier. It is thought that the petals were used to make perfume and that the ancient Egyptians exploited the lotus's narcotic properties and added its extracted essence to wine to enhance the pleasurable effects of the drink, as can be seen in banqueting scenes.
