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LOT 0449
Egyptian Carnelian Fly Amulet
LATE PERIOD, 664-332 B.C.
1/2 in. (0.41 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.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Cf. Andrews, C., Amulets of Ancient Egypt, London, 1994, pp.62-3.
FootnotesSmall fly amulets first appeared in burials during the Naqada II Period, c. 3200 B.C. These amulets grew in popularity and the materials used to make them expanded during the New Kingdom. They are crafted from a variety of materials such as gold, silver, lapis lazuli, carnelian, amethyst, faience, and bone. These amulets were thought to protect against insect bites and to ward off troublesome flying creatures through apotropaic magic. Some believe they may have even been intended to symbolise the fly’s fecundity. Additionally, pharaohs would bestow gold fly-shaped pendants as military awards to honour the bravery and fly-like persistence of soldiers in battle.
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
AUCTIONS:
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Egyptian Multi-Stranded Mummy Bead Necklace
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Multi-stranded designer necklace composed of beads of mainly annular and cylindrical types; restrung. 26 grams, 72 cm
Acquired before 1979. From the private collection of Mr F. A., South Kensington, London, UK; thence by descent 2014. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
For thousands of years, artisans in Egypt created vibrant ceramics to echo the beauty of rare jewels. These ornaments were created with almost every material, colour, and texture imaginable and they come from across Egypt and beyond: vibrant blue lapis lazuli from Afghanistan, glossy black obsidian from Turkey, and aqua-green turquoise from the Sinai. They were worn in life and, after death, they served as precious ornamentation for mummies. -
Egyptian Glass Ring with Hathor Cameo
Ptolemaic Period, circa 3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,900
Pale green transparent glass hoop with ellipsoid bezel, bevelled edge inlaid with a darker glass low-relief facing mask of the goddess Hathor with cow's ears and banded hairstyle. 17.65 grams, 39.43 mm overall, 20.51 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J, USA 4 3/4, Europe 8.69, Japan 8)
Acquired between 1965-2020. Private collection, London. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12484-229828. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Images of Hathor with a human face and cow ears combine her human and bovine aspects. She is shown with a serene human face, symbolising her nurturing nature, while the cow ears emphasise her roles in fertility and motherhood. Hathor was one of the most important deities in ancient Egypt, revered as the goddess of love, beauty, music, dance, fertility, and motherhood. She was also associated with joy, childbirth, and women’s health. Hathor was believed to protect and nurture, often depicted as a maternal figure. As such, she was closely linked with Isis. She was closely linked to the sun god Ra, acting as a cosmic force facilitating life. In funerary contexts, Hathor was also seen as a guide for the dead, helping them transition to the afterlife. Her multifaceted role made her one of Egypt's most widely worshipped goddesses. -
Egyptian Silver Horus Serekh Amulet
Late-Ptolemaic Period, 664-30 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
An element from a necklace in the form of Horus in falcon form sitting atop the palace façade motif (serekh). 0.71 grams, 10 mm
From an early 20th century collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Examples of this distinctive motif can be traced back to the very beginning of Egyptian history. It represents the recessed niches of royal and religious architecture, and served as a device to contain the Horus name of the king. The most notable example of jewellery incorporating this motif is the elaborate bracelet found in the tomb of King Djer at Abydos, which is composed of alternating turquoise and gold falcon-topped serekhs. Similar examples of this element occur as late as the Ptolemaic Period.
