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LOT 0481
Egyptian Faience Isis with Horus Amulet
PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 332-30 B.C.
1 1/2 in. (4.25 grams, 40 mm).
The goddess seated on a throne and wearing a vulture headdress with her hieroglyph above, the infant god Horus with Sidelock of Youth being nursed on her knee; turquoise glaze.
ProvenanceAcquired in Europe before 1992.
LiteratureCf. The Metropolitan Museum, New York, accession number 55.121.5, for similar.
FootnotesIn ancient Egyptian belief, the image of Isis suckling her son Horus was a potent symbol of rebirth. The goddess sits on the throne (which was the hieroglyphic form of her name).
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 Faience Amulet with Thoth as Ibis and Maat
Late New Kingdom-Late Period, 1550-332 B.C.Estimate: £1,500 - 2,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £750
On a wedge-shaped base and decorated in turquoise glaze; suspension loop on the neck of the bird; collector's inventory number E509' on the underside; accompanied by a custom-made display base. 22 grams total, 43 mm wide including stand
Ex Reine Margot, 1973. Ex R. Liechti (1934-2010) Geneva, Switzerland, collection between 1950-1990s.
In the judgment of the dead (Book of the Dead saying 125), Thoth, who is often represented in ibis form, records the result of weighing the heart of the deceased. The god is therefore mostly depicted in connection with the goddess Maat, whose feather was used as a counterbalance to the purity of the heart; such amulets were thus aimed at protecting the deceased from failing in the decision of the court of the dead. -
Egyptian Faience Djed Pillar Amulet
Late Period, 664-323 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
Decorated with a blue glaze; pillar to reverse, pierced for suspension. 1.9 grams, 21 mm
From an early 20th century collection, Carnavon, North Wales, UK. -
Egypto-Roman Red Carnelian Soknopaios Gemstone in Gold Ring
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,200
The 19th century ring with D-section hoop expanding at the shoulders; the oval intaglio engraved with a seated woman offering food or drink from a cup to a creature with the body of a crocodile and a falcon head; accompanied by a custom-made display case and impression. 5.23 grams, 23.98 mm overall, 18.87 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17)
Acquired in the 1980s. with Christie's, Ancient Jewellery, 7 December 2006, lot 277. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.11779-204569.
An important creator god, Soknopaios is depicted here with the crocodile body of Sobek and the falcon head of Re. It has been suggested that the falcon head of Soknopaios alludes to association with the goddess Isis's son Horus. It can also depict an image of the so-called ‘nine shaped one’ (εννεάμορφος), a figure mentioned several times in the magical rituals written in Greek but with a strong Egyptian religious background. This deity is often understood as the bios (i.e. an incarnation) of the supreme god Amun-Re, often accompanied by a surrounding ouroboros serpent.
