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LOT 0463
Egyptian Diorite Heart Amulet
LATE PERIOD, 664-332 B.C.
1 1/4 in. (10.7 grams, 31 mm).
A large heart, ib, amulet of classic egg-form with shallow lugs on either side, with flared top and incised lines to one side.
ProvenanceFrom an early 20th century collection.
Ex London, UK, gallery.
From a private UK collection
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
According to ancient Egyptian beliefs, the heart (ib) was considered the centre of intelligence, emotions, and behaviour. It was also believed to store an individual's memories. During the Weighing of the Heart ceremony in the afterlife, the heart could speak on behalf of the deceased and account for their lifetime of actions before Osiris. For this reason, heart amulets were placed on the mummy to safeguard the organ and ensure a favourable outcome during judgment.
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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Large Egyptian Steatite Scarab
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
A line border encloses the standing figure of a falcon-headed deity wearing a sun disc and uraeus, and holding a was-sceptre, standing before the hieroglyphs user, Maat, Re, setep, n, Re, neb), all surmounting a larger neb sign. 9.92 grams, 28 mm
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The design incorporates much of Ramesses II’s throne name, ‘the justice of Re is powerful, chosen of Re (user-Maat-Re setep-n-Re). -
Phoenician Bronze Scarab Pendant
6th-4th century B.C.Estimate: £250 - 350 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £125
With suspension loop and frame, intaglio figural scene including stylised birds and winged scarabs, with recesses; with museum-quality impression. 13.5 grams, 23 mm
Ex London, UK, gentleman 1980-2000s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Egyptian Black Hardstone Scarab
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Estimate: £350 - 450 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £175
Dark green hardstone with paler speckles; with a boldly carved head, clypeus, prothorax and elytra, and legs indicated at the sides; plain underside. 17 grams, 29 mm
Ex Irene Newman, Birdham, Chichester, West Sussex, England. with Stride & Son Auctioneers, Chichester, West Sussex, England, 23 April 2015, no.1599 [Part]. Acquired by the present owner at the above sale. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The scarab, which represented the dung beetle, was the most popular amulet in ancient Egypt for approximately two thousand years until the Ptolemaic Period when it gradually fell out of favour. The popularity of scarabs extended beyond the borders of Egypt, and they were also distributed and produced in other regions, such as Phoenicia and Israel. The beetle is named khepri, derived from the verb 'to come into existence', and was considered the embodiment of the creator god Khepri, who was self-engendered. The ancient Egyptians mistakenly believed that the young beetle emerging from the dung ball was the result of an act of self-creation.
