Egyptian Carnelian Scarab

Phillipeaux - Thèbes - Medynet-Abou. Combat Naval sculpté sur la face extérieure du palais exposée au nord - Proof etching on laid paper of plate 10 from La Description de l’Égypte: Antiquités, Volume II: Commission des sciences et arts d’Égypte with later backing sheet. 375 grams, 130.5 x 67 cm



From the collection of a North American priest. Acquired between 1981-1996. Property of a North American collector.

Produced between February 1802 and 1830 on the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte; published between 1809 and 1828. Just 1,000 copies were distributed to various institutions, printed on on laid paper with an 'Égypte ancienne et moderne' watermark. The book is subtitled Recueil des observations et des recherches qui ont été faites en Égypte pendant l’expédition de l’Armée française, publié par les ordres de Sa Majesté l’Empereur Napoléon le Grand (Gathering of observations and discoveries which were made in Egypt during the expedition of the French army, published on the orders of His Majesty the Emperor Napoleon the Great). It was the world's first encyclopaedia devoted exclusively to the remains of ancient Egypt. The plates of this book are the first to present the archaeological sites of Thebes (Luxor). The frieze is from the palace wall of Meninet - Abou.

A mount fashioned in low-relief with a loop on the reverse and tang projecting from the base, depicting the crouching figure of Horus in falcon-headed form with sun-disc crown, deeply striated wig, and wearing a broad collar, once holding a maat feather (now misssing). 69.6 grams, 11.7 cm



Part of an old collection dating back to the 19th century. Ex property of a gentleman, acquired before the 1980s. Private collection of Mr T.H., Norfolk, UK.

Carved from cream-coloured Egyptian alabaster containing fine veining throughout; relatively thick walls flaring to form a wide mouth with flat-topped lip, then tapering towards the gently spreading, flat- bottomed base. 7.69 kg, 21 cm high



Acquired whilst living and working in Egypt 1920s. Private collection of a surveyor for the Air Ministry, UK, thence by descent for three generations. Private collection, UK, acquired 2011 from the UK art market. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11947-209448.