Egyptian Blue Amulet of Bes

With round-section hoop, green stone scarab in swivel mount, the underside with incused image of a seated baboon flanked by torches(?), with sun disc above, and lotus flowers beneath. 7.59 grams, 29.99 mm overall, 23.51 x 18.24 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S, USA 9, Europe 20, Japan 19)



From the late S M collection, London, UK, 1969-1999. 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.

Blue glazed turtle amulet or bead with flat base and incised lines to each leg, pierced for suspension. 0.76 grams, 11 mm



From an early 20th century collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Turtle amulets have a rich history in ancient Egypt. The turtle was considered to possess a dual character. On one hand, it lived in the dark depths, embodying cosmic danger and was ritually annihilated. On the other hand, its power could be harnessed to ward off evil and work to the advantage of people, making turtle amulets a potent symbol of protection.

The head of goddess Bastet modelled in the round with alert ears and eyes, fine whisker detailing to the gently elongated muzzle, hair detailing to the inner edges of the ears and the lower outer edges pierced to accept separate earrings, incised scarab on the top of the head. 92.5 grams, 58 mm



Elizabeth Helene Demarest Osten Driesen (1892-1931). Given as a gift to her granddaughter, Lady Annabel Sutherland, by descent in the late 1960s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12762-237137. 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.

In ancient Egypt, the cat was venerated as the sacred animal of the goddess Bastet, whose principal cult centre was Bubastis in the Nile Delta. Although cats were once part of folk practice, their veneration as part of formal cults spread across Egypt during the Late Period. Bastet was closely linked to lion-headed goddesses like Sekhmet, Tefnut, and Pakhet, and the cat itself became associated with solar imagery: the Book of the Dead portrays the sun god as a Great Cat vanquishing Apophis beneath the sacred Ished Tree. The cat could also embody the Eye of the Sun or, more often in Bastet’s case, the Eye of the Moon. Mummified cats were frequently dedicated as votive offerings, and some of their feline-shaped coffins were adorned with finely crafted bronze heads to enhance their divine likeness.