Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0001
Egyptian Bronze Statuette of Thoth with Hieroglyphs to the Base
LATE PERIOD, 664-525 B.C.
4 in. (157 grams total, 10.1 cm high including stand).
In baboon form, modelled in the round wearing a lunar disc and seated on a semi-circular base with attachment lug; accompanied by a wooden display base; traces of hieroglyphic inscription around the edge of the base; repaired. [No Reserve]
Provenance
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.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.200862.
Literature
Cf. Kozloff, A., Animals in Ancient Art, the Leo Mildenberg Collection, pp. 67-68, no. 55, for a similar example.
Footnotes
God of the moon, magic and writing, Thoth could take the form of a baboon or an ibis. In baboon form, he was associated with the animals who rise early in the day, and was thus linked to the sun god, Ra. The dedicatory hieroglyphic inscription on the base of this example includes the di and ankh signs meaning 'give life'.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine 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
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
LOT 0001
Egyptian Bronze Statuette of Thoth with Hieroglyphs to the Base
Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,210
RELATED LOTS
-
Egyptian Faience Bead Mummy Face Mask
Ptolemaic Period, 332-30 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
Restrung; a netted beadwork panel of annular and tubular glazed composition beads in blues, greens, black, cream and red-brown colours, depicting a mummy face mask with false beard, a scarab with extended wings below, the 'Four Sons of Horus’ beneath the scarab, joined together with areas of open netting of tubular beads. 67 grams, 24 cm high
Acquired 1990s. Ex Mariaud des Serres, Paris, France.
The 'Four Sons of Horus' protected the internal organs of the deceased. Depicted from left to right: the falcon-headed Qebhesenuef protected the intestines; human-headed Imsety, the liver; baboon-headed Hapi, the lungs; jackal-headed Duamutef, the stomach. -
Egyptian Black Hardstone Scarab with Ankh
Late New Kingdom, circa 1070 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £845
Carved with stylised features and the base carved with a scarab beetle flanked by two ankh symbols and a ra sign beneath; drilled for suspension. 2.71 grams, 18 mm
Acquired 1969-1999. From the private collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK, thence by descent. -
Egyptian Carnelian Cobra Amulet
Third Intermediate Period, circa 900 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £910
Carved on a free-standing rectangular base; suspension loop to the serpent's back. 8.58 grams, 33 mm
Acquired prior to 2000 from a European collection. Canadian private collection of Mr A.K. of Montreal.
The sacred uraeus was a symbol of royalty, sovereignty and divine authority in ancient Egypt.