Egyptian Faience Blue Glazed Shabti

Formed as a fly with long triangular wings and domed eyes. 0.42 grams, 12 mm



From an early 20th century collection.

Fly amulets first appeared in burials as early as c. 3200 B.C., but their popularity expanded during the New Kingdom. They were made from various materials such as gold, silver, lapis lazuli, carnelian, amethyst, faience, and bone. Fly amulets were thought to protect against insect bites and to ward off troublesome flying creatures through apotropaic magic. They may also have even been intended to symbolise the fly’s fecundity. Pharaohs would bestow gold fly-shaped pendants as military awards to honour the bravery and fly-like persistence of soldiers in battle.

Blue faience cylindrical offering cup, gently tapering form with slightly flared foot and rim, a black painted rectangular frame containing a hieroglyphic inscription including cartouches containing the throne and birth names of Ramesses II and the dedication: skr-wsı͗r mry nb tꜢwy (wsr-mꜢꜤt-re stp-n-re) nb ḫꜤw (ı͗mn mry re-mssw), ‘Beloved of Sokar-Osiris, lord of the Two Lands (The justice of Re is powerful, Chosen of Re), lord of appearances (Beloved of Amun, Ramesses)’. 29.94 grams, 46 mm



Francesc Cambó i Batlle (1876-1947) a prominent Spanish politician, art patron and philanthropist. Gifted to his friend, the archaeologist Josep Gilbert i Buch. Acquired from Gilbert's family by the present owner's grandfather in the early 1980s. Private collection of a European noble.

Francesco Cambó i Batlle was a notable figure in early 20th century Spain, best known for his role in politics as a leader of the Catalan nationalist movement and as a patron of the arts. He was a key benefactor of the Museo del Prado and left a significant legacy through his art collections. His deep connection to the cultural and artistic life of Spain makes items from his collection particularly valuable and historically significant.

The scarab with lightly incised anatomical detailing, the underside with a central cartouche flanked by two rearing crowned uraei, a pair of falcons standing above the cartouche facing a smꜣ hieroglyph symbolising union (of the two lands, Upper and Lower Egypt); set into a later gold swivel ring. 4.34 grams, 26.44 mm overall, 15.68 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J 1/2, USA 5, Europe 9.32, Japan 9)



with Bonhams, London, 21 October 1999, no.36. Private collection, Europe. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12370-226696.