Egyptian Faience Bead with Eye of Horus and Ankh Symbols

Seated figure of the goddess, wearing a vulture headdress from which the bird’s head projects, topped by a crown consisting of a low modius of rearing cobras, surmounted by cow horns and a central sun disk; a tight-fitting three-quarter-length dress; shown suckling the naked infant Horus, with a uraeus at his brow; the goddess’s feet rest on a plinth, of which two sides are inscribed with a dedication, only partially preserved: (May) Isis give life (to) Wennenefer [......] Ankh-hor-(en)-sa (Ꜣst rdı͗ Ꜥnḫ wn n nfr [……] ꜥnḫ ḥr (n) sꜢ (?)). 875 grams, 22.1 cm including stand



From the estate of Alexander Dobkin (1908-1975), New York, USA, acquired prior to 1975. Thence by descent to his daughter, Katherine Dobkin, New York, USA.

Isis, one of the principal goddesses of the Egyptian pantheon, was revered as divine mother, protector of kingship, and mistress of magic. As the wife of Osiris and mother of Horus, she embodied maternal care, resurrection, and cosmic order, playing a central role in myths of death and renewal. Isis lactans statuettes emphasise this intimate maternal relationship and its protective and regenerative power; such bronzes were widely dedicated in temples and domestic shrines as votive objects invoking divine protection, healing, and royal legitimacy. The lacuna in the inscription on this example most likely supplied the filiation between the two named individuals.

Standing figure of the lion-headed god wearing the atef crown and a uraeus, arms slightly forward; with dorsal pillar and rectangular base; pierced for suspension. 1.43 grams, 27 mm



Ex early 20th century collection, London, UK.

Mahes was an Egyptian lion-headed deity symbolising divine protection, royal power, and justice. Considered a son of Sekhmet or Bastet, he represented the aggressive solar force of Ra, serving as a fierce defender of cosmic order. Venerated in the Delta, especially at Leontopolis, Mahes was depicted as a lion or as a man with a lion's head, often adorned with the atef-crown and uraeus.

Representing a slave or a dwarf in a crouched position, dressed in a short tunic leaving the left shoulder uncovered (exomis), a large curving phallus emerging from underneath the tunic topped with a large apotropaic eye; accompanied by a display stand. 64 grams, 81 mm (80 grams total, 10 cm high including stand)



The Erotica Collection Christian von Faber-Castell, Küsnacgt ZH, Switzerland, since the late 1970s.

Except for the enormous phallus, the figure is human in all aspects. The apotropaic aspect, symbolised also by the eye, is combined with the erotic. It should be pointed out that according to the physiognomic conceptions held in the ancient world, from the 4th century B.C. onwards, small-scale sculptures developed a rich repertoire of grotesque types. These so-called grotesques were a development of the Hellenistic interest in the human body and its imperfections. They range from representations of individuals with clinically diagnosable disfigurements to those with exaggerated physical features. According to some scholars, terracotta (and bronze) figurines of this kind were life-like representations of beggars and others who gathered at big feasts in temples or at the houses of the wealthy. In the latter case, they indicated the importance and wealth of the host because the more beggars an event attracted, the greater the fortune of the event organizer. By implication, the bronze and terracotta portraits of these marginal people could have become symbols and charms of good luck that would have been placed in private houses. Christian von Faber-Castell (born 1950) is a renowned German entrepreneur and art collector, best known as a member of the prominent Faber-Castell family, famed for their iconic writing instruments. A passionate advocate for art and culture, Christian von Faber-Castell curated an extensive and diverse private collection of erotica, spanning centuries and cultures. His collection reflects a deep appreciation for the interplay of beauty, sensuality, and artistic expression, bringing together rare and unique works that explore themes of intimacy and human connection. Pieces from this collection have been featured in notable exhibitions and are celebrated for their artistic and historical significance. This offering represents a rare opportunity to acquire works from one of the most fascinating and eclectic private collections of its kind.