Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 0485

Egyptian Faience Blue Glazed Shabti

PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 323-30 B.C.

5 1/8 in. (91 grams total, 13 cm high including stand).

A typical mummiform figure with moulded facial detailing, a lappet wig, and hands holding a pick and hoe, the back with a possible hieratic inscription, mounted on a custom-made stand with label 'Ancient Egypt / (26th Dyn - Ptolem.) / circa 664-332 BC / Turquoise Faience / Ushabti Figure'. [No Reserve]

Provenance

Ex old UK collection.
Acquired from Cestrian Antiques, Chester, UK, 2002.
Ex Pemberton collection, Wales, UK.

Accompanied by old information labels with collection reference C.234.
Accompanied by the original Cestrian Antiques invoice.

Literature

Cf. Schneider, H.D., Shabtis. An Introduction to the History of Ancient Egyptian Funerary Statuettes with a Catalogue of the Collection of Shabtis in the National Museum of Antiquities at Leiden, Vol.3, Leiden, 1977, p.78, no. 5.3.4.82, for a similar slender figurine.

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 0485

Egyptian Faience Blue Glazed Shabti

Sold for (Inc. bp): £72

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Egyptian Female Fertility Figurine Plaque
    Egyptian Female Fertility Figurine Plaque
    Late Period-Ptolemaic Period, 664-31 B.C.

    Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £556

    Carved rectangular plaque with central recess, carved image of a nude female modelled in the half-round with a deeply striated bag wig, arms by her side; traces of red and black pigment on the body; mounted on a custom-made stand. 502 grams total, 17.1 cm including stand



    From a central London collection, formed 1980-2000. From the private collection of Mr David Barker, London, UK; thence by descent.

    The rectangular limestone plaque almost certainly represents a shrine. Such plaques first appeared in Lower Egypt and became widespread in the Late Period and Ptolemaic era. They may have developed from earlier female figurines depicted on beds and are usually associated with the female goddesses Isis and Hathor, both powerful protectors of women and childbirth and associated with fertility.

    Lot Details

  • Egyptian Silver Poppy Beads
    Egyptian Silver Poppy Beads
    Late Period, 664-332 B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £124

    Modelled in the shape of a poppy seed with a flat foot leading to a globular body with a tapering neck attached to a small loop at the top for suspension. 3.29 grams total, 16-17 mm



    From an early 20th century collection.

    Amulets in the form of poppies were used to heal and alleviate pain and to ward off death. These types of amulets were also linked to Osiris, the Egyptian deity of agriculture, death, and the afterlife.

    Lot Details

  • Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Bes
    Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Bes
    Late Period, 664-332 B.C.

    Estimate: £150 - 200 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £75

    Plano-convex in section with detailed obverse, the underside with the figure of Bes flanked by adoring baboons and sun discs. 10.7 grams, 31 mm



    Ex London, UK collection, 1990s.

    Bes became one of ancient Egypt's most popular apotropaic deities from the New Kingdom onwards. Despite his somewhat fearful appearance, Bes was the patron and protector of pregnant women and children and believed to protect the wearer from snakes. The depiction of baboons flanking Bes with their arms raised before the sun disk was a common feature on temple wall reliefs. In ancient Egyptian religious literature, baboons heralded the dawn and, thus, the rebirth of the sun.

    Lot Details

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