Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment Group

Proof etching on laid paper of plate 31 from Vol.I of Description de l'Égypte : ou, Recueil des observations et des recherches qui ont été faites en Égypte pendant l'expédition de l'armée française. entitled Ile d'Eléphantine et Syène. Plan général de l'Île d'Eléphantine, de Syène, et des carrières de granit exploitées par les Anciens Egyptiens. 223 grams, 105.5 x 69 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 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 encyclopedia devoted exclusively to the remains of ancient Egypt. The plates of this book are the first to present the archaeological sites of Thebes (Luxor). Elephantine Island holds archaeological remains that span the entire history of ancient Egypt. Syene is the Greek name for the ancient Egyptian city of Swennet, now known as Aswan.

Carved in the round scarab with longitudinal piercing. 0.40 grams, 8.5 mm



Ex Belinda Elliston collection, 20th century.

Carved in the round with the head and neck laid backwards along the spine; mounted on a custom-made stand. 890 grams total, 10 cm wide including stand



Acquired before 1970. Private French collection. with Bonhams, New Bond Street, London, 29 April 2009, lot 58. Ex Middle Eastern royal family, living in the UK, 2013-2017. Accompanied by a copy of a French cultural passport no.099505. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate, no.S000149104. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12942-245247.

In ancient Egypt, the duck (actually the Egyptian goose) was considered a sacred and very popular animal, often depicted in art and associated with symbolic meanings. It was a common bird in the Nile Valley and considered a symbol of fertility, life, and family, which is why it frequently appeared in scenes of daily life and rituals, and in the artworks.