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LOT 0527
Egyptian Faience Mummy Bead Panel with Four Sons of Horus
PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 332-30 B.C.
5 7/8 in. (34.6 grams, 15 cm).
Restrung as an openwork panel with a winged scarab above and the Four Sons of Horus below as two opposing pairs; restrung with some later beads.
ProvenanceFrom an early 20th century Home Counties, UK, collection.
LiteratureCf. Manley, B., and Dodson, A., Life Everlasting. National Museum of Scotland Collection of Ancient Egyptian Coffins, Edinburgh, 2010, p.114, no.43, for a bead-work shroud incorporating the winged scarab and Four Sons of Horus.
FootnotesThese elements would have been placed on the chest and body below a beadwork mummy mask. Winged scarabs were often used as funerary amulets and believed to symbolise the deceased's rebirth and regeneration. The Four Sons of Horus protected the deceased's internal organs. Here, on the left, is the erect-eared jackal-headed Duamutef who protects the stomach, followed by the falcon-headed Qebehsenuef, who protects the intestines, then the human-headed Imsety, protector of the liver and, finally, the baboon-headed Hapy on the right, protector of the lungs.
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LOT 0527
Egyptian Faience Mummy Bead Panel with Four Sons of Horus
Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
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Romano-Egyptian Statuette of Thoth in Baboon Form
Roman Period, 30 B.C.-323 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
Carved hardstone figure of a Hamadryas Baboon (papio hamadryus), sacred to Thoth, crouching with his forepaws resting on his knees and wearing a segmented and banded hood and collar with elaborately carved textural detailing; face chipped and lower body absent. 243 grams, 10.6 cm
Ex Yorkshire, UK, collection, 1960s-1980s.
The baboon was considered an embodiment of the god Thoth. The animal was associated with both the sun and the moon, often depicted wearing a moon and crescent headgear. Together, these aspects symbolised the cycle of rebirth, as it was believed that the deceased travelled through the night and was reborn at dawn. Thoth was highly regarded for his connection to knowledge, healing, and writing. Scribes would wear a Thoth baboon amulet to ensure continued professional success. In the Roman era, Thoth became the 'primary pseudonymous authority for diverse priestly texts' (Frankfurter, D., Religion in Roman Egypt,New Jersey, 1998, p.240). As some religious centres with animal cults were maintained in the Roman Period, it is possible that this figurine was a votive offering to the god. Baboon figurines have also been discovered in Isis sanctuaries in Rome. This discovery may indicate the mythological connection between the two deities, as Thoth provides words to Isis, enabling her to revive her husband, Osiris. -
Egypto-Phoenician Lapis Lazuli Scarab with Cartouche for Thutmose III
Late 1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £2,500 - 3,500 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,350
With carapace detailing to obverse, plaque with intaglio cartouche for the throne name of Thutmose III men-kheper-Re, winged scarab and fronds flanking. 7.4 grams, 25 mm
Private collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, 1990s, thence by descent. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12127-211877. -
Egypto-Phoenician Hardstone Scaraboid Set in Bronze Pendant
Late 1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £250 - 350 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £125
Comprising a carnelian scaraboid with a stylised bird with open wings to the underside, pellets to the field; set in an openwork bronze pendant frame with tubular loop. 3.84 grams, 18 mm
From an early 20th century Home Counties, UK, collection.