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LOT 0003
Egyptian Bronze Seated Osiris with Inlaid Eyes
CIRCA 26TH-30TH DYNASTY, 664-342 B.C.
6 in. (160 grams total, 15.3 cm including stand).
Modelled mummiform and seated with arms crossed at chest, holding crook and flail, wearing a false beard and plumed Atef crown with uraeus, cream-coloured inlay to eyes; mounted on a custom-made display base.
ProvenanceEx old English collection.
Spanish collection, 1980s.
Accompanied by a previous dealer's catalogue and price card (£2,500.00).
Cf. Tiribilli, E., The bronze figurines of the Petrie Museum from 2000 BC to AD 400, (GHP Egyptology 28), London, 2018, p.96, no.126, for similar.
FootnotesOsiris was the foremost of ancient Egyptian funerary deities and lord of the underworld. Many statuettes of the god were offered in temples dedicated in his name, but have also been discovered in other contexts including animal necropoleis and temples dedicated to other gods.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
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Large Egyptian Bronze Statue of Khonsu
Late Period, 26th Dynasty, 664-525 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33,800
Standing in advancing pose on a rectangular base; the god modelled with a disk representing the full-moon surmounting a crescent new moon atop his head and fronted by a uraeus, the falcon-head sports a finely striated tripartite wig and with beaded silver wire frames to the (once inlaid) eyes; wearing a broad wesekh collar; the left arm bent and fist drilled to grip a staff, right arm straight to the side with similar drilled fist; pleated shendyt kilt and belt to the hips; mounted on a tiered socle base. 896 grams total, 27 cm including stand
Very fine condition.
Smith family collection, Cambridge, UK since 1949. Private UK collection since 1978. Accompanied by a scholarly note by Egyptologist Paul Whelan. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11033-183985.
The moon god Khonsu (whose name means 'wanderer', referring to the passage of the moon across the sky) is known as a blood-thirsty sky-deity in the Pyramid Texts. In New Kingdom Thebes, however, he was regarded as a far more benevolent deity, being the child of Amun and Mut, and provided with his own temple at Karnak. There, he was considered to control destiny. Khonsu can appear in human form with a side-lock of youth, wearing an enveloping garment, and holding royal regalia, and also as a falcon-headed man with the full moon and crescent new moon headdress, as with this fine example. In his falcon-headed form he frequently holds an ankh symbol and a was-sceptre, for which the hands of this piece were drilled to accept the god's well-known attributes. -
Egyptian Faience Amulet Group
New Kingdom, Amarna Period, 1353-1336 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Composed of polychrome amulets of various types, with suspension loops, including fruits and a feathered plume. 0.78 grams total, 3-13 mm
From an early 20th century collection, Surrey, UK. -
Egyptian Bronze Mummiform Osiris Statuette
Late Period, 664-343 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £520
Wearing a tall Atef crown with sun disc and uraeus, arms crossed at the chest, holding the royal crook and flail. 57 grams, 12.1 cm
Gifted by Herbert Parsons (1870-1940) to his grandson, James Gibson (1926-2013). Inherited by the vendor and her brother, from their grandfather James Gibson.