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LOT 0002
Egyptian Black Stone Lipped Bowl
2ND-3RD DYNASTY, 2860-2640 B.C.
7 7/8 in. (627 grams, 20 cm).
Shallow and broad in profile with carinated rim.
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of Mr K.A., acquired in the 1990s-early 2000s.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12367-225768.
Cf. El-Khouli, Egyptian Stone Vessels: Predynastic Period to Dynasty III, vol.3, London, 1974, pl. 105, 4152-4153, for a vessel of similar profile.
FootnotesStone vessels, made from various styles and types of stone, were commonly found in Early Dynastic and Old Kingdom tombs as funerary equipment. One of the most significant discoveries was the recovery of over 30,000 stone vessels in King Djoser's Step Pyramid complex.
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
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Egyptian Granite Relief
New Kingdom, 1550-1292 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,560
Relief fragment with dressed face and three edges; the feet and lower body of a human figure in profile wearing a tight-fitting calf-length garment on a baseline; the left forearm behind with hand holding a goose by its pinions; to the left a series of ḥtp hieroglyphs. 3.57 kg, 18.7 cm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12366-226937.
This likely represents part of an offering scene, showing the individual bringing a goose and the hieroglyphs writing ḥtpt, probably part of a phrase referring to 'offerings'. -
Large Egyptian Bronze Oxyrhynchus Fish of Per-Medjed
Late Period-Ptolemaic Period, 664-30 B.C.Estimate: £6,000 - 8,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £3,000
Modelled in the round on a sledge attached by ventral and pectoral fins, forked tail, dorsal ridge, tapering nose; recessed circular eyes with enamel fill; horned sun disc headdress fronted by a uraeus and a suspension loop behind. 585 grams, 17 cm
Acquired from Gallery Reiner, Paris, 1981. Private collection, Europe. Accompanied by a copy of French passport no.150583 dated 29 November 2013. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12375-226676.
The Medjed, a type of elephant-snout fish (Mormyrus kannume), was revered in ancient Egyptian religion, particularly in Per-Medjed, better known by its Greek name, Oxyrhynchus Polis. This version of the name, meaning "city of the sharp-nosed," reflects the fish's distinctive appearance as depicted in Egyptian art. These fish were believed to have consumed the penis of Osiris, the god who was dismembered and scattered by his brother Seth. As sacred creatures, figurines of the Medjed were often adorned with a horned sun-disc headdress worn by the goddesses Hathor and Isis, suggesting a close association with both. Some figurines, like this example, featured suspension loops, allowing them to be worn as pendant amulets. -
Egyptian Canaanite Limestone Scarab Group
Second Intermediate Period-New Kingdom, circa 17th-12th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,040
A group of thirteen scarabs with anatomical detailing to the carapace, comprising: 1) two kneeling hawk-headed figures with arms raised praise flank a central Hathoric fetish; 2) two facing falcons adorned with Red Crowns flanked by hieroglyphs, including netjer,hes-jars, and maat feathers; 3) standing human figure holding a staff atop a neb hieroglyph facing a highly stylised crocodile; 4) falcon atop a neb hieroglyph facing a striking cobra with another above; 5) the Re-Horakhty falcon standing before a hes-jar, with cartouche behind containing hieroglyphs and a verticalneb hieroglyph on the left; 6) central motif of a bird atop a neb hieroglyph with a rectangular sign above, a was- sceptre behind, flanked by stylised cobras; 7) falcon wearing the Red Crown atop a shrine with a winged sun disc above, flanked by cobras and Red Crowns; 8) central design consisting of hes-jars, a sun disc, a nub symbol (for gold), nefer signs, a kheper scarab beetle, and lotus flowers, all flanked by a border of en and ro signs; 9) central column of hes-jars, a sun disc, a kha rising sun hieroglyph, and scarab beetle, flanked by lions’ foreparts, Red Crowns, neb and hes-jar signs; 10) standing figure atop a neb hieroglyph holding a flower/branch; 11) hieroglyphs writing ‘Amun beloved of the living Ramesses’; 12) stylised bird with men hieroglyph behind; 13) scarab beetle with sun disc above. 27.1 grams total, 11-20 mm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.
The popularity of the scarab was so great that many of these scarab designs can be found outside Egypt at sites in the ancient Levant.