Egyptian Glass Fragment Collection

The obverse with a scene of Anubis recumbent on a pylon-shaped shrine with a standing sceptre in front; the reverse painted with a djed pillar flanked by two knots of Isis, remains of polychrome painted pigment; three piercings to both sides of the top; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 71 grams, 85 mm wide (223 grams total, 10.5 cm including stand)

Fine condition.

From an early 20th century collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11104-182800.

Pectorals worn by the living were made from metal, usually gold; for the dead, glazed composition was an acceptable substitute, indicating the funerary nature of such objects. Circular piercings have been made through the cavetto cornice, enabling the piece to be stitched to the bandages covering a mummy's chest. The shape of the pectoral imitates that of a pylon, the rectangular tower which flanked the gateway into an Egyptian temple. The cavetto cornice is decorated with a winged and gilded sun-disk. All four sides are adorned with a block pattern. A jackal reclining on a pylon-shaped shrine represents Anubis, god of embalming. He has a magical tie or scarf around his neck and is shown with a flagellum. Such imagery is found in New Kingdom tombs at Thebes. In front of the shrine is the sekhem sceptre of power. The reverse depicts a djed pillar, believed to represent the backbone with ribs of Osiris, god of the dead, flanked by the Girdle of Isis or 'tit' amulet. Both were standard funerary amulets.

Comprising a vertical arrangement of female heads wearing proplomas, alternating with green foliage; enclosed within a red-orange border with yellow bands, wave motifs to the edges; mounted in a custom-made glazed frame by Jean Bohne Pictures & Frames, New York, with a handwritten dedication to the reverse. 728 grams total, 46 x 17.5 cm including frame



From the private collection of Mr Vladimir Gregorietch Simkhovitch (1874-1959), Professor of Economics at Columbia University, U.S.A. Vladimir was a great collector of ancient art and works from his collection are kept in the Smithsonian Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of New York, and the Brooklyn Museum amongst others.

The band was probably a segment from a curtain, carpet or parietal cover.

The trio comprising a baboon, a rearing snake and shrew, each with simple stylised detailing. 83 grams total, 36-42 mm



‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.