Egyptian Glass Eye Fragment

Carved rectangular plaque with central recess, carved image of a nude female modelled in the half-round with a deeply striated bag wig, arms by her side; traces of red and black pigment on the body; mounted on a custom-made stand. 502 grams total, 17.1 cm including stand



From a central London collection, formed 1980-2000. From the private collection of Mr David Barker, London, UK; thence by descent.

The rectangular limestone plaque almost certainly represents a shrine. Such plaques first appeared in Lower Egypt and became widespread in the Late Period and Ptolemaic era. They may have developed from earlier female figurines depicted on beds and are usually associated with the female goddesses Isis and Hathor, both powerful protectors of women and childbirth and associated with fertility.

Modelled in the round as a standing hippopotamus (Tawaret) figure on a rectangular base with loop to the rear. 1.98 grams, 24 mm



From the collection of Doctor Girard, a collector for over 60 years. with Hotel des Ventes de Clermont-Ferrand, 22 May 2017. Property of a French collector.

The goddess Tawaret was a female hippopotamus with the arms and legs of a lion and the back and tail of a crocodile. Despite her fearsome appearance, Tawaret was a household deity and protector of women in childbirth.

One with incuse bird, chevron and other motifs to the underside, the other in mottled hardstone. 4.69 grams total, 13-18 mm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.