Egyptian Faience Mummy Bead Bracelet

Proof etching on laid paper of plate 64 from Vol.II of Description de l'Égypte : ou, Recueil des observations et des recherches qui ont été faites en Égypte pendant l'expédition de l'armée française. entitled Thèbes. Hypogées. Manuscrit sur papyrus. 4eme partie. 235 grams, 105 x 69.5 cm



From the collection of a North American priest. Acquired between 1981-1996. Property of a North American collector.

Produced between February 1802 and 1830 on the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte; published between 1809 and 1828. Just 1,000 copies were distributed to various institutions, printed on laid paper with an 'Égypte ancienne et moderne' watermark. The book is subtitled Recueil des observations et des recherches qui ont été faites en Égypte pendant l’expédition de l’Armée française, publié par les ordres de Sa Majesté l’Empereur Napoléon le Grand (Gathering of observations and discoveries which were made in Egypt during the expedition of the French army, published on the orders of His Majesty the Emperor Napoleon the Great). It was the world's first encyclopedia devoted exclusively to the remains of ancient Egypt. The plates of this book are the first to present the archaeological sites of Thebes (Luxor). The papyrus manuscript was recovered from an underground tomb chamber (hypogeum). This includes a scene (bottom right) depicting the weighing of the deceased's heart before Osiris's divine tribunal. The heart is balanced against the feather of Maat, and the ibis-headed Thoth records the verdict. If the heart fails to balance, it is devoured by a fearsome creature called Ammut, and the deceased would cease to exist.

Anatomical detailing on the carapace and the body is pierced longitudinally, with five hieroglyphic signs on the underside. 2 grams, 16 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

The three hieroglyphs on the left side, together with the bottom sign, spell out the throne name of Tutankhamun (Neb-kheperu-Ra), although the long sign to the right, resembling a reed leaf or Maat feather, indicates that it may be a good luck legend, perhaps interpreted as 'True Lord of Manifestations is Ra'.

With moulded facial features, tripartite wig, agricultural tools in the crossed hands and a seed-bag to the left shoulder; dorsal pillar; vertical panel to lower body with impressed hieroglyphic inscription: 'The illuminated one, the Osiris, the Controller of the Estates.... (sḥḏ wsı͗r ḫrp-ḥwwt....); lower legs absent. 56.3 grams, 95 mm



From the private collection of a Canadian gentleman living in Essex, UK, formed since the 1920s-circa 1990. Property of an Essex lady until the late 1990s; thence by descent. From the private collection of an Essex gentleman since the late 1990s.