Egyptian and Other Faience and Hardstone Bead Collection

A blue glazed composition figure of the advancing god Ra (possibly Ra-Horakhty), falcon-headed and wearing a sun disc, set on an integral rectangular base, left leg positioned in front of the right, arms held straight by his sides, wearing a wig and kilt; tapering pillar with suspension loop behind solar disc; repaired. 18.4 grams, 87 mm high



Acquired from Dr Jan Beekmans, circa 1982. UK private collection.

In ancient Egypt, Ra sat as the king of all the deities and the father of all creation, the god who could not only govern the sun, but who transformed himself into the sun. He was associated with the falcon, hence he is typically portrayed as a human with a falcon's head. The major cultic centre for Ra was the ancient city Iwnw, known as Heliopolis to the Greeks, which today lies under modern Cairo. The ancient Egyptians were an agricultural society inhabiting a desert; the sun (and thus Ra) was an integral component of their world view. Placed on the chest of the deceased, this amulet offered the wearer the chance of eternal renewal each morning with the sun.

A restrung necklace composed of glazed faience tubular beads; modern clasp. 8 grams, 47.5 cm long



From an early 20th century UK collection.

A carved limestone relief fragment with profile male head facing left, with close-cropped hair and detailed treatment of the eye, ear and mouth; inked inscription to the reverse 'E. H. Heckett.'; set in an old velvet-covered mount. 129 grams, 71 mm wide



From the estate of a deceased American, acquired between 1970-1989. with Bonham's, London, Knightsbridge, 28 October 2009, lot 23 [Part]. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11596-198972.