Egyptian Black Stone Scarab

Comprising: turned discoid counter with raised tiered rim and central boss, plain reverse with incised 'L · III' legend (numeral '53'); triangular-section arrowhead with low flanges to one face and mounting hole, socket to rear. 4.82 grams total, 17-26 mm



Ex John Cummings Ltd., Lincolnshire, UK. From the private collection of a Canadian gentleman living in Essex, UK, formed since the 1920s-circa 1990. Property of an Essex lady until the late 1990s; thence by descent. From the private collection of an Essex gentleman since the late 1990s. Accompanied by an old information card.

Upper portion of an arch-top limestone stele fragment with two dressed faces; the obverse lunette features a winged sun disc flanked by uraei and two partial rows of incised pseudo-hieroglyphs below; the reverse displays the head of the god Bes in high relief, with traces of the head of the young Horus immediately below, who would have been depicted grasping the two partially preserved snakes and a scorpion carved in raised relief to the right; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 450 grams total, 11.6 cm high including stand



Frossart Collection, France, by the 19th century. Private collection, London, UK.

Although fragmentary, this stela is easily recognisable as a Horus cippus or magical stela. They were used to heal ailments caused by snake or scorpion venom. Ancient Egyptians believed that water poured over these cippi would turn into a healing liquid that the afflicted could drink or apply to their bodies.

Circular with a semi-circular profile and an opening on one side. 3.57 grams, 17 mm



From a 20th century UK collection. Accompanied by a previously illustrated catalogue card with provenance.