Egyptian Bright Blue Faience Scarab in Gold Ring

Carved in the round, depicting a male carrying a rectangular shrine intended to hold a figure of a goddess; arms and upper chest bare, strap to the chest to support an apron, dorsal pillar to the reverse; accompanied by a custom-made stand. 4.6 kg, 19.3 cm (5.18 kg total, 25 cm including stand)



From the collection of Danish furniture designer Ole Wanscher (1903-1985). Accompanied by an academic report by Egyptologist Paul Whelan. Accompanied by a copy of a photo of Wanscher in his office, circa 1960. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11843-207728.

Ole Wanscher was a leading figure of the Scandinavian Design movement. Wanscher was inspired by ancient designs, and one of his most famous creations, the 'Egyptian Stool', was based on folding chairs from Egypt's New Kingdom. This piece is visible in the background of a photo of Wanscher in his office, circa 1960.

Comprising: square panel with border of repeated motif of an amphora and vine issuing from the top, guilloche, radiating foliage; similar with guilloche enclosing repeating ring motifs, knotwork band and central radiating fleur-de-lys motifs; similar with concentric bands of roundels and central floret; each mounted on a wooden-framed fabric backing. 1.08 kg total, 25.3 x 25.5 cm each



Acquired from Esther Fitzgerald Rare Textiles, London, UK. Property of a North American gallery.

Flat anthropomorphic panel with incised ring-and-dot ornament to obverse, single central ring-and-dot to the reverse. 16 grams, 12.4 cm



Acquired on the German art market, 1989-1995. with The Museum Gallery, 19 Bury Place, London, WC1A 2JB, 1998-2003. Property of a London based academic, 2003-present.

In the late Roman Egypt or early Islamic period (7th–11th century A.D.) a new type of figurine appeared in the archaeological record: small, crudely crafted human figures made of bone. Some researchers considered them as toys meant to prepare girls for motherhood; others saw them as fertility figurines. They are mostly referred to as early Christian or “Coptic dolls”. In Egypt and Palestine they seem to appear suddenly in the 7th century, coinciding with the Arab conquests, but they might have existed earlier. With the new Muslim empire bridging former Roman and Sassanian lands, these dolls found their way to Egypt and Palestine where they were reproduced in huge numbers, becoming popular in all levels of society of the 8th and 9th century. By the end of the 11th century they disappeared as quickly as they appeared, probably because of restrictions placed on their production by Islamic laws.