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LOT 0425
Egyptian Faience Frog Scaraboid
PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, CIRCA 300 B.C.
1/2 in. (0.56 grams, 13 mm).
Discoid base with crouching frog pierced longitudinally for threading; underside with a solar disc and unidentified symbol.
ProvenanceEx R. Liechti (1934-2010) Geneva, Switzerland, formed between 1950-1990s.
Accompanied by a copy of an old collection inventory note.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Lacovara, P., and Markowitz, Y.J., Jewels of the Nile: Ancient Egyptian Treasures from the Worcester Art Museum, Worcester MA, 2020, p. 116, no.1925.594, for similar.
CONDITIONTimeLine 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:
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Egyptian Bronze Figure of Isis and Horus
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £450
Isis enthroned wearing a cow's horn headdress with a solar disc fronted by uraeus, suckling the infant Horus on her lap; Horus with a side-lock of youth. 73.4 grams, 68 mm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
In ancient Egyptian mythology, Isis was the sister-wife of Osiris and the mother of the sky god Horus. She is associated with aspects of fertility and motherhood and is often depicted in various artworks seated in a nursing pose with her son Horus on her lap, as here. -
Egyptian Blue Glazed Hieroglyphic Shabti for Ta-Amun
Saite Period, 26th Dynasty, 664-525 B.C. or laterEstimate: £1,200 - 1,700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £600
Slender columnar shabti featuring a dorsal pillar, with ten rows of hieroglyphic text on the lower body beginning with the dedication 'The illuminated one, the Osiris priest Ta-Amun born of Ta-seh-nebty' ( sḥḏ wsỉr ḥm nṯr TꜢ-I͗mn ms (n) TꜢ-sḥ-nbty); the features of the small face are finely modelled, including a long, plaited false beard and a heavy lappet wig; the arms are crossed, with hands holding a pick and a hoe, along with a cord for a seed bag. 137 grams, 17.8 cm
Acquired on the German art market, 1989-1995. with The Museum Gallery, 19 Bury Place, London, WC1, UK, 1998-2003. Property of a London based academic, 2003-present. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Egyptian Jasper Fly Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Carved in the round resting on an oval base, striated body; pierced longitudinally. 0.88 grams, 14 mm
Ex London and Home Counties collection, UK, 1920-1940. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Egyptian artists often depicted fly whisks with pharaohs and officials, suggesting flies were just nuisances. In reality, Egyptians valued flies for their speed and persistence. Small fly amulets appeared around 3200 B.C. in Naqada II burials, gaining popularity and varying materials during the New Kingdom, including gold, silver, lapis lazuli, carnelian, amethyst, faience, and gemstones. These amulets were thought to protect against insect bites and troublesome creatures via apotropaic magic and possibly symbolised fecundity. Pharaohs awarded gold fly-shaped pendants to honour soldiers' bravery in battle.
