Egyptian Faience Necklace with Pendant

A heart, ib, amulet of classic egg-form with shallow lugs on either side with short flared top and tubular suspension loop. 1.5 grams, 17 mm



From an early 20th century collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

According to ancient Egyptian beliefs, the heart (ib) was considered to be the centre of intelligence, emotions, and behaviour. The heart was also believed to store an individual's memories. During the Weighing of the Heart ceremony in the afterlife, the heart could speak up for the deceased and account for their lifetime of actions before Osiris. For this reason, heart amulets were placed on the mummy to safeguard the organ and ensure a favourable outcome during judgment.

Fragment of the rectangular base of a statue, preserving an integral pair of feet on the upper surface; lower end of dorsal column inscription at the rear with two hieroglyphs; below, a horizontal band of hieroglyphic text extending onto both short sides including part of an offering formula for the ḥm-nṯr ı͗wnw-smꜤ ḥr-sꜢ-Ꜣstı͗ (the priest [of the] Southern Heliopolis [i.e., Thebes], Hor-sa-aseti); old collectors' labels on the underside; supplied with a custom-made wooden display stand. 1.37 kg, 12.9 cm (4.08 kg total, 25 cm including stand)



Private New York, USA, collection, 1970. Ex Adrian Burns, Columus, Ohio, USA, from an old estate collection. Ex Art for Eternity gallery, New York, USA. Ex Art Primativo, Auction 16, 2001, no.430. Ex private New York, USA, collection. Private collection, London, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Egyptologist Paul Whelan. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12832-240779. 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.

Gentle trapezoidal plinth with modelled depictions of two long-tailed lizards on the top; four evenly spaced holes pierce the plinth for attachment. 12 grams, 54 mm



From a UK dealer since the 1970s. From an old London, UK, collection since circa 1985. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The lizard was the animal manifestation of the creator god Atum. His sun-god aspect is embodied in the lizard's need to bask in sunshine.