Egyptian and Phoenician Stone Scarab Group

Modelled in the round, standing erect and wearing a long, tight-fitting garment, with hands emerging from openings to hold the nekhakha flail and heka crook; on his head is an atef crown, consisting of the white crown with lateral feathers, ram's horns and a uraeus; below his chin extends a braided false beard, supported behind with a short tab; the eye sockets inlaid with glass; mounted on a custom-made stand. 3.76 kg total, 41.5 cm high including stand



From an old Japanese private collection formed in the 1970s. Mr M.S. prior to 1988. Acquired from the above 18 April 1988. M. Yekta, UK private collection UK. Acquired from the above 17 Aug 2021. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13469-262425.

Osiris was one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt, associated with the afterlife, resurrection and the regeneration of life. As ruler and judge of the dead, he offered the promise of rebirth to those who hoped to attain eternal life. Bronze statuettes of Osiris were dedicated in temples and placed in tombs as votive offerings. They expressed personal piety and devotion while invoking the god’s protection and his power to grant rebirth in the afterlife.

Including turquoise, white, and cream scarabs with segmented carapaces and lateral leg detailing, hieroglyphs and symbols on the underside, and one slender cowroid bearing a stylised depiction of Bes. 9.27 grams total, 14-20 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

Sub-rectangular in plan with irregular and fragmented edge; prepared plaster surface featuring a line-bordered column with four cursive hieroglyphs naming Behedet (bḥdt); a section of finely painted outstretched wing with feather detailing to lower edge in red and blue; below, a wedjat eye in black with red medial band; fabric back to reverse. 48 grams, 17 cm



Formerly from an old collection of a Wiltshire, UK, collector, acquired before 1980. Property of a private collector, West London, UK. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

This fragment most likely originates from the lower chest section of a so-called anthropoid 'yellow coffin' from the Third Intermediate Period. The wing belongs to a protective deity; as Behedet is a name given to several locations (Edfu, Tell el-Balamun, and Lepidotonpolis) associated with Horus, it seems probable that the wing belongs to the falcon form of this god.