Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 0545

Egyptian Faience Bead with Eye of Horus and Ankh Symbols

LATE PERIOD, 664-332 B.C.

1/2 in. (2.09 grams, 14 mm).

Barrel-shaped bead with blue glaze, wedjat and ankh in black glaze.

Provenance

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.

Footnotes

The wedjat-eye amulet is a representation of the healed eye of the god Horus, featuring both human and falcon elements. The name wedjat in ancient Egyptian means ‘the one that is sound.’ According to Egyptian mythology, Horus' eye was wounded or taken by the god Seth and restored by Thoth. The wedjat-eye amulet was thought to protect its wearer and bestow the power of recovery and regeneration onto them. It was very popular and used by both the living and the dead.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine 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:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 0545

Egyptian Faience Bead with Eye of Horus and Ankh Symbols

Estimate £100 - 140€120 - 160 (for guidance only)$140 - 190 (for guidance only)

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Romano-Egyptian Mosaic Glass Fragment Group
    Romano-Egyptian Mosaic Glass Fragment Group
    Roman Period, 30 B.C.-323 A.D.

    Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £50

    Irregular plate fragments with banded, rosette and other designs. 34.6 grams total, 21-48 mm



    Ex Gallery Mikazaki, prior to 1994. From the collection of a London, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Lot Details

  • Egyptian Bronze Seated Harpocrates
    Egyptian Bronze Seated Harpocrates
    Late Period, 664-332 B.C.

    Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £500

    Substantial cast figurine modelled in the round of Harpocrates sitting with hands on his thighs, double crown and sidelock. 389 grams, 16.2 cm



    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.

    Harpocrates is the Greek rendering of the Egyptian Hor-pa-khered, which means ‘Horus the Child’. This name refers to Horus as the divine infant of Isis and Osiris. Wearing an amulet of Harpocrates was believed to give the wearer the same protection that Isis offered to her beloved son. Larger bronze statuettes probably served as votive offerings to Harpocrates to secure his favour and protection.

    Lot Details

  • Egyptian Glass Eye Inlay Pair
    Egyptian Glass Eye Inlay Pair
    Ptolemaic Period, 332-30 B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £208

    The sclera white and the iris black. 4.12 grams total, 27-29 mm



    Acquired on the UK art market, 1977-1979. Private collection, London. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Egyptian coffin eye inlays were both decorative and symbolic, intended to make the coffin appear lifelike and assist the deceased in the afterlife. Typically, they featured a white sclera (glass, travertine, alabaster or quartz), a dark iris (glass or often obsidian), and sometimes red paint at the inner corner. The eyes were often set in bronze or copper frames, occasionally with faience or bronze eyebrows.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list