Loading, please wait...
LOT 0022
Egyptian Faience Shabti for Nes-Khonsu
THIRD INTERMEDIATE PERIOD, 21ST-22ND DYNASTY, CIRCA 1085-713 B.C.
4 3/4 in. (166 grams, 12.2 cm).
A pale blue-green faience mummiform shabti, with arms crossed and holding a hoe in each hand, wearing a tripartite wig with a headband with ties hanging down at the back; a seed bag suspended below the wig; the outline of the eyes, eyebrows, hoes, and seed bag painted black; a central column of hieroglyphs on the front reading: wsı͗r šmꜤyt n ı͗mn ns-ḫns.w ‘The Osiris, chantress of Amun, Nes-Khonsu.’
ProvenanceEx German private collection.
Acquired from Galerie BB-Antiken & Asiatika with stock reference no.366/08.
From the private collection of a Belgian collector.
Ex TimesAncient, Bristol, UK.
Accompanied by a copy of the Galerie BB-Antiken & Asiatika certificate dated 1 December 2008.
Accompanied by a copy of a previous catalogue entry.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
For the name Nes-Khonsu, see Ranke, H., Die Ägyptischen Personennamen, Band I, p. 178, no.20.
FootnotesNes-Khnosu (and the variant Nesy-Khonsu) were common names during the Third Intermediate Period. However, the combination of the name and title in the dedication on this shabti is less common. It is possible that this shabti comes from tomb 339 at Deir el-Medineh in Western Thebes. The tomb was discovered by Bernard Bruyère in 1929 (Rapports préliminaires Deir el Médineh, Cairo, 1930, p. 89, 92), from where blue faience shabtis bearing the same dedication were recovered.
Traditionally, chantresses were female performers who acted as dancers and rhythmic musicians. Like Nes-Khnosu, many were associated with temples and played significant roles in religious festivals.
TimeLine 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.
-
.jpg)
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 Silver Hathor Amulet
Late-Ptolemaic Period, 664-30 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
D-shaped mask representing the human-headed Hathor with cow ears and a short beard, with a ribbed suspension loop above. 0.66 grams, 10 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. -
Egyptian Bead Necklace with Lotus Flowers
Late Period, 664-332 B.C. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £234
Comprising annular and cylindrical beads in various colours, interspersed with four lotus-flower pendants. 24.2 grams, 104 cm
P.S., Netherlands, 1985. Ex Sands of Time U.S.A. with Treasuregate Gallery, 11 June 2015, Netherlands. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00105718. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The most common type of collars based on pendants found at various localities, was mainly composed of pendants imitating plant forms. The terminals of surviving collars of this design are usually triangular, representing lotus flowers, or rectangular, decorated with plant designs or spirals.
