Loading, please wait...
LOT 0465
Egyptian Faience Mummy Beadwork Mask
PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 332-30 B.C.
12 5/8 in. (145 grams, 32 cm).
A netted beadwork panel of annular and tubular glazed composition beads depicting a mummy face mask with a false beard, a scarab with extended wings below, and beneath the 'Four Sons of Horus’, Hapy, Imsety, Qebehsenuef, and Duamutef, joined together with areas of open netting of tubular examples; restrung with some later beads.
ProvenanceMariaud de Serres, Paris, 1990s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The Four Sons of Horus were deities responsible for protecting the deceased's internal organs. The human-headed Imsety protected the liver, the baboon-headed Hapy protected the lungs, the jackal-headed Duamutef protected the stomach, and the falcon-headed Qebehsenuef protected the intestines. These internal organs were often placed in canopic jars with the head of the respective Son of Horus.
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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
-
Egyptian Decorated Wooden Mask From a Mummy
Late Period, 4th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,380
Displaying semi-naturalistic detailing in relief, beneath a band of headdress ornament composed of rows of architectural dot-and-dash and zig-zag patterns over a segmental panel, possible hieroglyphs to the top tier; attachment pegs to the sides of the face and through the head; extensive remains of painted black pigmentation and composition fill to the eyes. 677 grams, 36 cm
From a French estate, acquired between 1960 and 1980. with SAS Cornette de Saint Cyr Auction, Paris, Vente 882, Mobilier et Objets d'art, 2 December 2014, lot 69. Accompanied by a copy of a French cultural passport no.167062. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Alberto Maria Pollastrini. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11807-206837. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Egyptian Thoth as Ibis and Maat Faience Amulet
Ptolemaic Period, 332-30 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
On a wedge-shaped base and decorated in turquoise glaze; the ibis's beak resting on a diminutive figure of the goddess Maat; 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. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
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 Deep Blue Glazed Faience Eye of Horus Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Large wedjat-eye amulet with incised human and falcon elements. 11.7 grams, 38 mm
From the private collection of the late Mrs Belinda Ellison, a long time member of the Egyptian Exploration Society, c.1940-2020. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The wedjat-eye amulet is a representation of the healed eye of the god Horus, featuring both human and falcon elements. The name wedjat in ancient Egyptian means ‘the one that is sound.’ According to Egyptian mythology, Horus' eye was wounded or taken by the god Seth and restored by Thoth. The wedjat-eye amulet was thought to protect its wearer and bestow the power of recovery and regeneration onto them. It was very popular and used by both the living and the dead.