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LOT 0488
Egyptian Black Stone Head of a Female
MIDDLE KINGDOM, LATE 12TH DYNASTY, 1862-1787 B.C.
3 3/4 in. (1.1 kg, 94 mm).
Carved in the round head with almond-shaped eyes and copious hair, detailed ears; jawline, neck and cheeks abraded.
ProvenanceAcquired in the mid 1980s-1990s.
Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent.
Private collection, since the late 1990s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Bourriau, J., Pharaohs and Mortals: Egyptian art in the Middle Kingdom, Cambridge, 1988, p.49, no.38, for a portrait of a female head with similar features.
FootnotesThe nearly spherical shape suggests that the head was repurposed as a pounder.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Phoenicio-Egyptian Black Stone Scaraboid with Lions
6th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £910
With gusset to the sidewall and incuse design to the underside of opposed winged lions each with one forepaw raised. 14.5 grams, 28 mm
Ex collection of the late Mr S. M., London, UK, 1970-1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Phoenician scarabs with winged lions were often used as guardian figures, much like Mesopotamian lamassu or Egyptian sphinxes. On amulets and seals, they likely served as apotropaic (evil-averting) symbols. In Phoenician and Persian art, hybrid creatures like winged lions reflect a cosmopolitan visual language, blending Egyptian, Assyrian, and Achaemenid motifs. They could symbolise imperial power or transcultural authority. In some cases, winged lions are linked to deities or divine guardianship, especially when shown flanking sacred symbols like trees, thrones, or sun discs. -
Egyptian Carnelian Necklace with Djed Pillar
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
Composed mainly of oblate and spherical beads, four poppy seed pendants, and a larger djed pillar pendant; restrung with a modern clasp. 12.68 grams, 43.5 cm
From an Israeli collection, formerly with the Archaeological Centre in Jaffa. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The djed pillar symbolises endurance and stability. Used as a funerary amulet since the Old Kingdom, it was first linked to Ptah and Sokar, later becoming associated with Osiris as his backbone. Chapter 155 of the Book of the Dead references it in the context of resurrection. Beads in the form of poppies were used to heal and alleviate pain and to ward off death. These types of amulets were also linked to Osiris, the Egyptian deity of agriculture, death, and the afterlife. -
Egyptian Cobalt Blue Glazed Faience Libation Cup of Ramesses II
New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty, circa 1279-1212 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,470
Conical in profile with flared base and rim, black glazed inscription panel bearing the dedication: 'Lord of the Two Lands, User-Maat-Re (Ramesses II) given life, beloved of Osiris, Lord of Rosetau'. 46.5 grams, 48 mm
With Jean-Phillipe Mariaud de Serres, Paris. Private collection, London, acquired from the above in 1992. 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.
