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LOT 0461
Egyptian Glass Bes Amulet in Gold Pin
LATE PERIOD-ROMAN PERIOD, 664 B.C.-323 A.D. AND LATER
2 in. (13.7 grams, 51.6 mm).
Comprising a large blue amulet of facing Bes with yellow highlighting, the grimacing god wearing a plumed headdress and depicted nude; set in a later gold casing with a plume-shaped red jasper insert, an articulated pin attachment on the reverse.
ProvenanceEx AH collection, London, UK, 1980s.
Accompanied by a previous cataloguing slip.
Cf. Lacovara, P., and Markowitz, Y.J., Jewels of the Nile: Ancient Egyptian Treasures from the Worcester Art Museum, Worcester MA, 2020, pp.110-111, no.6, for a comparable blue faience Bes with yellow decoration.
FootnotesDespite his rather fearful appearance, Bes was the patron and protector of pregnant women and children. He was also believed to provide protection from snakes.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0461
Egyptian Glass Bes Amulet in Gold Pin
Estimate £400 - 600€460 - 700 (for guidance only)$540 - 810 (for guidance only)
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Egyptian Blue-Glazed Female Figure
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
Wearing a short wig, with right hand to breast holding a sash that hangs over the shoulder and left arm at the side; with a broad girdle; the wig, nipples, and girdle in black; suspension loop behind head. 24.6 grams, 85 mm
From the vendor's grandfather's collection, formed in the 1950s; thence by family descent circa 1974. -
Egyptian Gold Cartonnage Inlays
Late Period-Ptolemaic Period, 664-31 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,420
Comprising: a winged scarab with detailed carapace and wings; and the mummiform figures of the four Sons of Horus, Imsety, Hapy, Duamutef, and Qebehsenuef; mounted on custom-made display stands. 635 grams total, 16.5-20 cm wide including stand
From a 1920s French collection. Ex German gallery, 1970-1980s. Spanish collection, 1980s-1990s. London, UK, collection, 2000s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12126-214208.
The Four Sons of Horus were deities responsible for protecting the internal organs of the deceased. 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. -
Egyptian Hardstone Fly Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
With linear detailing to body and wings, pierced at the neck. 0.34 grams, 13 mm
From an early 20th century UK collection.