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LOT 0495
Egyptian Coptic Bone Doll's Head
4TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.
2 1/4 in. (7.47 grams, 55 mm).
A carved face and chest from a figurine or doll, with incised eyes, mouth and brow, reserved ears and nose. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceProperty of a London gentleman; acquired in the 1970s.
From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Shatil, A., ‘Bone figurines of the early Islamic period: the so called “Coptic dolls” from Palestine and Egypt’, in Vitezović, S. (ed), Close to the Bone: current studies in bone technologies, Belgrade, 2016, for a discussion of the development of Coptic bone figurines with examples.
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 Faience Shabti for Padipepet
Late Period, 26th Dynasty, 664-525 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,860
Mummiform figure wearing a tripartite wig and false beard, with arms crossed and hands holding a pick, hoe, and the cord of a seed bag slung over the left shoulder; dorsal pillar with two columns of hieroglyphic text reading: 'O this ushabti, if the Osiris Padipepet, born of Bastet-ir-dis, [is called], 'Behold me' you shall say'; display stand with legend 'Padipepet / XXVI Dyn[asty]'. 210 grams, 17 cm
From the private collection of a Canadian gentleman living in Essex, UK, formed since the 1920s-circa 1990. Property of an Essex lady until the late 1990s; thence by descent. From the private collection of an Essex gentleman since the late 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
A shabti (also known as ushabti or shawabti) is a small funerary figurine found in ancient Egyptian tombs, dating from around 2000 BCE to 30 BCE. Its primary purpose was to serve as a helper for the deceased in the afterlife, performing manual tasks like farming or irrigation. Shabtis were often inscribed with a magical formula from the Book of the Dead to ensure they would come to life when summoned. The relatively short inscription on this example includes the opening and closing parts of the spell. -
Egyptian Cylindrical Breccia Vase
Early Dynastic Period-Old Kingdom, 3050-2181 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
Columnar in form with thick everted rim, slightly domed underside. 534 grams, 10.7 cm
From the private collection of a Canadian gentleman living in Essex, UK, formed since the 1920s-circa 1990. Property of an Essex lady until the late 1990s; thence by descent. From the private collection of an Essex gentleman since the late 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Egyptian Light Blue Faience Hippopotamus Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Blue glazed figure modelled in the round as a standing hippopotamus, pierced to the centre. 3.63 grams, 20 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.
In ancient Egypt, hippos symbolised both danger and protection, representing chaos and fertility. Feared for their aggression along the Nile, they were also associated with the protective goddess Taweret and the river’s life-giving power.
