Egyptian Blue Faience Bead Necklace

Restrung using mainly annular and tubular beads, with four larger oblate beads; central feature a large (5cm) Bes pendant, the god standing on a plinth and wearing an elaborate headdress. 18 grams, 56 cm



From the vendor's grandfather's collection, formed in the 1950s; thence by family descent circa 1974.

Bes became one of ancient Egypt's most popular apotropaic deities from the New Kingdom onwards. Despite his rather fearful appearance, Bes was the patron and protector of pregnant women and children. He was also believed to provide protection from snakes.

Willemin - Thèbes - Hypogées - Manuscrit sur papyrus en caractères hiéroglyphiques. Deuxième partie - Proof etching on laid paper of plate 73 from La Description de l’Égypte: Antiquités, Volume II: Commission des sciences et arts d’Égypte with later backing sheet. 360 grams, 135 x 69.5 cm



From the collection of a North American priest. Acquired between 1981-1996. Property of a North American collector.

Produced between February 1802 and 1830 on the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte; published between 1809 and 1828. Just 1,000 copies were distributed to various institutions, printed on on laid paper with an 'Égypte ancienne et moderne' watermark. The book is subtitled Recueil des observations et des recherches qui ont été faites en Égypte pendant l’expédition de l’Armée française, publié par les ordres de Sa Majesté l’Empereur Napoléon le Grand (Gathering of observations and discoveries which were made in Egypt during the expedition of the French army, published on the orders of His Majesty the Emperor Napoleon the Great). It was the world's first encyclopedia devoted exclusively to the remains of ancient Egypt. The plates of this book are the first to present the archaeological sites of Thebes (Luxor). The papyrus manuscript was recovered from the underground chambers (hypogea).

Square sheet gold cell with repoussé quatrefoil to the undeside, inset glass panel in red glass and pale turquoise faience. 1.18 grams, 10 mm



From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s.