Egyptian Faience Bead Necklace with Petal Beads

Carved haematite representation of a carpenter's or stonemason's set-square. 3.15 grams, 24 mm



with Hotel des Ventes, Drouot, Paris, France. From the collection of Mr H. Naudy, Paris, France. Acquired at between 2004-2010. Property of a French collector.

Amulets of the L-shaped carpenter's or stonemason's set-square, usually depicted as two rectangular strips of unequal lengths meeting at a right angle, were most frequently made of dark hard stones such as haematite, as this example. Set-square amulets were believed to bestow eternal moral uprightness upon their possessor.

Carved in the round figure of Bes sitting on an ellipsoid base; the god in crouching pose wearing a lionskin girdle, his forearms on his thighs and hands holding the pierced lug handles of a storage jar; the jar and Bes's head topped by a low square modius with a round opening to the top. 188 grams, 66 mm



Early 20th century South East England, UK, collection. Formerly in North American collection, 1990s. From the collection of a London, UK, gentleman. Accompanied by an academic report by Egyptologist Paul Whelan. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12376-225408.

This vessel's style continues that of New Kingdom and Third Intermediate Period kohl (eye paint) or unguent Bes-shaped containers, suggesting that it served as a household object rather than an item of funerary equipment.

Circular with a semi-circular profile and an opening on one side. 3.2 grams, 17 mm



From an early 20th century collection.