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LOT 0415
Egyptian Faience Amulet of an Ibis
LATE PERIOD, 664-332 B.C.
1 1/4 in. (3.54 grams, 31 mm).
An exquisitely modelled figure of a seated ibis on a trapezoidal-shaped plinth, with its beak resting on the slender feather of Maat; light turquoise glaze for the body, plinth, and feather; blue glaze for the tail feathers, feet and neck; head absent.
Provenancewith Bonhams, Knightsbridge, 3 October 2000, no.413.
Private collection, Europe.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Cf. Andrews, C., Amulets of Ancient Egypt, London, 1994, p.25, no.21f, for a similar example.
FootnotesThe ibis was considered sacred to the god Thoth. It is likely that the popularity of amulets depicting an ibis resting its beak on the feather of Maat in the funerary sphere is connected to Thoth's role as the recorder of the final judgment of the deceased by the divine tribunal. This tribunal determined if the deceased had lived a virtuous life and could enter the Underworld. This was visually represented by the deceased's heart placed on scales with the feather of Maat; if the heart and feather balanced, eternity was assured.
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AUCTIONS:
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Egyptian Silver Goddess Bastet Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Estimate: £700 - 900 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £350
Modelled as a cat seated on an oblong base; accompanied by a custom-made display base. 1.27 grams, 13 mm high (6.02 grams total, 33 mm including stand)
Ex Mrs Zimmermann Koutoulakis, December 1977. Ex R. Liechti (1934-2010) Geneva, Switzerland, collection between 1950-1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Bastet was primarily a goddess of fertility, but she also represented festivities and intoxication, which formed part of the temple celebrations of her cult. -
Egyptian Faience Pilgrim's Flask
Late-Ptolemaic Period, 664-30 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
With domed faces and grooved edge, a pair of loop handles to each shoulder, slender neck and wide mouth. 825 grams, 17.2 cm
Ex London art market 1990s. From a London, UK, collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Phoenician Stone Scaraboid Seal
Levant, circa 10th century B.C.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
Engraved stylised detailing to the domed carapace, the underside with quadrupeds and caterpillars in exergue; pierced longitudinally; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 3.35 grams, 18 mm
From the 'S' collection, acquired 1970-1990s. The collection was seen and studied by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993. Accompanied by a copy of a report from Peter Gert Van der Veen, senior lecturer of Levantine Archaeology Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
