Egyptian Black Stone Scarab

Modelled in the round figure of Khonsu standing, holding the crook, flail, and long was-sceptre, with false beard and sidelock, wearing a crown consisting of a lunar crescent and disc with uraeus, and a broad collar; the eyes with sheet-silver inlays; mounted on a custom-made stand. 378 grams total, 19 cm including stand



Ex Geneva collection, Switzerland, acquired before 1980. Ex Galerie Günter Puhze GmbH, Germany, 2008. Ex Keane collection, Kent, UK. Accompanied by an original invoice from Galerie Günter Puhze GmbH. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12628-235137. 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.

Khonsu is an ancient Egyptian god of the moon, often depicted as a young man with a sidelock, a uraeus, and headgear featuring a lunar crescent and disc. He is associated with Thoth, another moon god. Together with his father Amun and mother Mut, Khonsu forms the Theban Triad.

Housed in five linen-covered boxes, covering general Egyptian sites, religion, Gods of Amun and Osiris, minor gods, environment, boats, and Book of the Dead etc. 4.44 kg total, 26.5 x 16.5 x 6.5 cm each box



Property of archaeologist Stephanie Gee, N.W. London, UK, 1960s-1980s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Stephanie Gee was a prominent archaeologist who took part in several expeditions in Egypt. She was a trusted assistant to the British-Australian archaeologist Veronica Seton-Williams, who excavated in Egypt, Britain, and the Near East. Stephanie also took part in the Tell El-Farâ'în expeditions of 1965-1968, and assisted Seton-Williams with preparing the 1966 expedition report. Their collaboration continued and Stephanie helped with the manuscript of Seton-Williams’ book ‘The Road to El-Aguzein’, a narrative account of her life that was first published in 1988.

Hollow-formed representation of a cartouche featuring a figure of a kneeling offerant at one end; the cartouche inlaid with a panel incised with Setepenre Usermaatre and hieroglyphic text, along with two attachment holes on the underside. 118 grams, 78 mm



Acquired on the German art market, 1989-1995. with The Museum Gallery, 19 Bury Place, London, WC1, UK, 1998-2003. Property of a London based academic, 2003 to present. 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.

This type of object seems to have served as a symbolic offering. Its resemblance to the primary element of an incense burner may imply a ritual connection.