Egyptian Clay Papyrus Document Sealing with Bust of Hadrian

Devotional figurine of Harpokrates seated with his hand raised to his mouth, wearing a nemes headdress with curled side lock, topped by an elaborate hem-hem crown characteristic of the god. 59 grams, 10.7 cm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.

Harpokrates is the Greek rendering of the Egyptian name Hor-pa-khered, which means ‘Horus the Child’. This name refers to Horus as the divine infant of Isis and Osiris. Wearing an amulet of Harpokrates was believed to offer the same protection that Isis granted to her beloved son. Larger bronze statuettes like this example were likely votive offerings to Harpokrates to secure his favour and protection.

Comprising: a fragment of a clavus in coarse linen and dark brown wool, tapestry, with remains of a medallion embroidered with a lion running right; fragment of an orbiculus in linen and yellow and blue wool, S torsion, embroidered with vegetal and geometric patterns; two terminal fragments of a clavi, in red, green, dark blue and white wool. 58 grams total including package, 8.6-19.5 cm



Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.

These are decorative parts of tunics. The lion orbiculus in particular stands out for its delicate design and hunting theme. Dionysus and his entourage were often depicted on these tunics, despite the fact that these fabrics were produced in a by then heavily Christianised empire.

Comprising; a copper-alloy scarab with a scarab flanked by rearing uraei on the underside; a stone scarab with similar motif on the underside; a faience scarab with floral motif; a stone scarab with hieroglyphics on the underside; a stone scarab with plain underside. 17.1 grams total, 14-20 mm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.