Loading, please wait...

Egyptian Gold Ba-Bird Amulet Egyptian Gold Ba-Bird Amulet Egyptian Gold Ba-Bird Amulet
Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge
Details

LOT 0460

Egyptian Gold Ba-Bird Amulet

LATE PERIOD, 664-332 B.C.

5/8 in. (0.38 grams, 15 mm).

Finely detailed depiction of a human-headed ba-bird with outspread wings and the one preserved claw holding a shen ring.

Provenance

From the private collection of the late Mrs Belinda Ellison, a long time member of the Egyptian Exploration Society, c.1940-2020.

Literature

Cf. Wilkinson, A., Ancient Egyptian Jewellery, London, 1971, for an example of a similar form.

Footnotes

In ancient Egyptian religion, the ba is one of the principal aspects of the human soul, along with the ka and the akh. It is often depicted in bird form, symbolising the soul's mobility after death.

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 0460

Egyptian Gold Ba-Bird Amulet

Sold for (Inc. bp): £247

Print page

RELATED LOTS
  • Egyptian Carnelian Fly Amulet
    Egyptian Carnelian Fly Amulet
    Late Period, 664-332 B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £117

    Formed as a fly with long triangular wings and domed eyes. 0.42 grams, 12 mm



    From an early 20th century collection.

    Fly amulets first appeared in burials as early as c. 3200 B.C., but their popularity expanded during the New Kingdom. They were made from various materials such as gold, silver, lapis lazuli, carnelian, amethyst, faience, and bone. Fly amulets were thought to protect against insect bites and to ward off troublesome flying creatures through apotropaic magic. They may also have even been intended to symbolise the fly’s fecundity. Pharaohs would bestow gold fly-shaped pendants as military awards to honour the bravery and fly-like persistence of soldiers in battle.

    Lot Details

  • Egyptian Wooden Funerary Shabti Figurine
    Egyptian Wooden Funerary Shabti Figurine
    2nd-1st millennium B.C.

    Estimate: £1,500 - 2,000 (‡+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £750

    Carved in the round with D-shaped base, carefully modelled hair and ears with beard absent, the right hand visible, not holding any work tools, the body has the appearance of a mummy entirely draped in a shroud with rather elongated proportions, the broad and rounded face with a slightly ‘smiling’ expression, framed by a tripartite hairstyle without stripes, which continues down the back and two lappets on the chest. 39 grams, 14.5 cm



    Ex R. Liechti (1934-2010) Geneva, Switzerland, formed between 1950-1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12079-218221.

    Lot Details

  • Egyptian Silver Poppy Beads
    Egyptian Silver Poppy Beads
    Late Period, 664-332 B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £124

    Modelled in the shape of a poppy seed with a flat foot leading to a globular body with a tapering neck attached to a small loop at the top for suspension. 3.29 grams total, 16-17 mm



    From an early 20th century collection.

    Amulets in the form of poppies were used to heal and alleviate pain and to ward off death. These types of amulets were also linked to Osiris, the Egyptian deity of agriculture, death, and the afterlife.

    Lot Details

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