Egyptian Faience Fish Amulet with Hieroglyphs

Part of a tunic, the rectangular segment in yellow and green linen and wool, the central part decorated with interlaced geometric motifs, surrounded by an edge of similar motifs and border edged of crenellated blossoms. 264 grams, 64 x 37 cm



Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.

Among the many fragments from wool tunics are several long strips that match to form nearly full-length central pectoral clavi. They are patterned with a profusion of small figures or interlaced abstract designs, birds, plants and animals with a contrasting border filled with geometric motifs.

Naturalistically modelled and coloured blue, hieroglyphs on base; pierced for suspension. 4.55 grams, 20 mm



Ex collection of Emil Saad, Paris-Alexandria.

Sub-rectangular with keyhole-shaped aperture to the lower right edge; low-relief figure in profile wearing a tunic with circular neckline, bobbed hair swept behind the ears, sharp facial features with short goatee beard; bands of vertical fluting. 14.5 kg, 37.5 cm high



Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no. 11830-207550.

The features and hairstyle of the figure resemble closely those of Asiatic captives shown on the outer wall of the temple of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel, Egypt. It is likely that the Egyptian artists from the time of Thutmose III onwards had frequent opportunities to observe the foreigners who came, or were brought into Egypt. It is likely that the Egyptian artists were interested in differentiating the various peoples encountered by the armies on their campaigns northward during the New Kingdom. The remains of a circular aperture behind the figure probably indicates that the slab was re-used as a grindstone or a door pivot in ancient times.