Loading, please wait...

Egyptian Fishtail Flint Knife Egyptian Fishtail Flint Knife Egyptian Fishtail Flint Knife
Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge
Details

LOT 0006

Egyptian Fishtail Flint Knife

CIRCA 3650-3300 B.C.

4 3/4 in. (142 grams total, 12 cm including stand).

Knapped bifacial tan knife with fishtail butt to receive a hilt; the rounded tip tapering and flaring along the edges; with a custom-made display stand.

Provenance

Collection of Maurice Bouvier, Alexandria, Egypt, then in Switzerland from 1959; thence by descent.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11834-207726.

Published

Page-Gasser, M. & Wiese, A.B., Égypte, Moments d'éternité, exhibition catalogue, Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Musée Rath, Geneva, 1997-1998, n° 9B.

Exhibited: Égypte, Moments d'éternité, Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig, 18 March-13 July 1997; Musée Rath, Geneva, 26 September 1997-11 January 1998.

Literature

See Berman, Lawrence M., Catalogue of Egyptian Art, Cleveland Museum of Art, 1999, Nos.62-64, for similar examples.

Footnotes

Many of these superbly crafted knives are attributed to the Naqada II period (c.3500-c.3200 BC), in Upper Egypt. They were normally used in the Opening of the Mouth ceremony.

CONDITION
VETTING:

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.

LOT 0006

Egyptian Fishtail Flint Knife

Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,150

Print page

RELATED LOTS
  • Egyptian Painted Wooden Mummy Mask
    Egyptian Painted Wooden Mummy Mask
    4th-3rd century B.C.

    Estimate: £5,000 - 7,000 (‡+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £2,500

    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.

    Lot Details

  • Egyptian Alabaster Kohl Pot
    Egyptian Alabaster Kohl Pot
    Late Period-Ptolemaic Period, 664-30 B.C.

    Estimate: £300 - 400 (‡+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £150

    The miniature piriform body with everted neck and rim, shallow integral foot; chipped. 128 grams, 56 mm



    Acquired in Europe before 1993.

    Lot Details

  • Large Egyptian Heart Scarab with Hieroglyphic Inscription
    Large Egyptian Heart Scarab with Hieroglyphic Inscription
    Late Period, 664-332 B.C.

    Estimate: £8,000 - 10,000 (‡+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £4,000

    With naturalistic detailing to the upper body and legs; base engraved with seven rows of hieroglyphic text, a version of Chapter 30b of the Book of the Dead; faience or glazed steatite. 68.5 grams, 54 mm



    Ex collection Charles Bouché, (1928 - 2010). Accompanied by an academic report by Egyptologist Paul Whelan. Accompanied by a copy of a French cultural passport no.139368. Accompanied by old sketches of the artefact together with a provisional translation of the hieroglyphic inscription in French; mentioning the god Osiris. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11845-206822

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list