Egyptian Beaded Mummy Mask

Sub-rectangular with keyhole-shaped aperture to the lower right edge; low-relief figure in profile wearing a tunic with circular neckline, bobbed hair swept behind the ears, sharp facial features with short goatee beard; bands of vertical fluting. 14.5 kg, 37.5 cm high



Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no. 11830-207550.

The features and hairstyle of the figure resemble closely those of Asiatic captives shown on the outer wall of the temple of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel, Egypt. It is likely that the Egyptian artists from the time of Thutmose III onwards had frequent opportunities to observe the foreigners who came, or were brought into Egypt. It is likely that the Egyptian artists were interested in differentiating the various peoples encountered by the armies on their campaigns northward during the New Kingdom. The remains of a circular aperture behind the figure probably indicates that the slab was re-used as a grindstone or a door pivot in ancient times.

Comprising: a blue-glazed eye of Horus amulet with bifacial detailing, pierced for suspension; a glazed Shu amulet, suspended on a slender gold bar and pendant hoop; offered with a black stone stamp seal engraved with a bird standing left, pierced for suspension. 5.06 grams total, 13-26 mm



Collected since the 1970s. Ex Everitt collection, acquired by descent 2017.

Rectangular amuletic bead with hieroglyphic text to both faces, central cartouche to one face. 1.67 grams, 17 mm



From a family collection formed 1900-1950; by descent circa 1980.