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LOT 0484
Egyptian Carnelian Fly Amulet
LATE PERIOD, 664-332 B.C.
1/2 in. (0.44 grams, 13 mm).
Carved with simple body and eye detailing and polished; drilled through the eyes for suspension. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom an early 20th century collection, Surrey, UK.
LiteratureCf. Christies, 14 April 2011, Lot 66, Baron Empain collection (1852-1929); see also Andrews, C., Amulets of Ancient Egypt, London, 1994, pp.62-3.
FootnotesConsidering Egyptian artists often depicted fly whisks in the hands of pharaohs and high officials, one might assume that flies were simply a nuisance. However, the Egyptians held flies in high regard due to their quick speed, reactions, and persistence. Small fly amulets were made from various materials, including gold, silver, lapis lazuli, carnelian, amethyst, faience, and bone. These amulets were believed to protect against insect bites and ward off flying creatures through apotropaic magic.
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AUCTIONS:
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Egyptian Wood Panel with Hieroglyphs for Padi-Wsir
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,340
Foot panel from a cedarwood sarcophagus with carved socket to the inner face to accept the feet and mortices for attaching to sides; the outer face in low relief, a figural scene depicting the sisters of Osiris (Nephthys to the left and Isis to the right) with their arms extended; text translatable as 'Words spoken for Neftis, which surrounds ...Words spoken for Osiris, Padi-Wsir. I have come into existence as [...] Osiris, Padi-Wsir, the righteous [...]'. 652 grams total, 31 cm wide including stand
From a Dutch private collection, acquired in the 1970s. Acquired from J. Bagot Ancient Art, Barcelona, Spain, in 2016. From the Keane private collection, Kent, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the J. Bagot certificate of authenticity and invoice (2,800 euros). This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12078-216769.
'Padi Wsir' is probably the name of the owner of the sarcophagus; the same name was elsewhere transliterated as 'Padiusir' and Hellenised as 'Petosiris'', a familiar name in the Late Period. -
Egyptian Hardstone Architectural Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Estimate: £250 - 350 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £125
Carved haematite representation of a carpenter's or stonemason's set-square. 3.15 grams, 24 mm
with Hotel des Ventes, Drouot, Paris, France. From the collection of Mr H. Naudy, Paris, France. Acquired at between 2004-2010. Property of a French collector.
The L-shaped carpenter's or stonemason's square was used to measure right angles. Amulets of this tool symbolised integrity, moral uprightness, emotional equilibrium, and balance. -
Egyptian Decorated Wooden Comb
Coptic, 3rd-7th century A.D.Estimate: £600 - 800 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £300
Rectangular in plan with fine-cut teeth to one short edge and coarse-cut to the other; obverse with regular pattern of ring-and-dot motifs, zigzag borders; mounted on a custom-made stand. 111 grams total, 20.4 cm including stand
Ex J.P. collection, 1960s. Private collection London, UK, 1980s. From the private collection of J.L., Surrey, UK, 2000s.
