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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.
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of the late Mrs Belinda Ellison, a long time member of the Egyptian Exploration Society, c.1940-2020.
LiteratureCf. Wilkinson, A., Ancient Egyptian Jewellery, London, 1971, for an example of a similar form.
FootnotesIn 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.
CONDITIONTimeLine 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:
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Egyptian Limestone Fragment Group
Middle Kingdom, 2035-1550 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,404
Comprising four fragments of dressed and plastered wall, each with painted hieroglyphs in blue, green and black shades, some with low-relief modelling. 1.03 kg total, 10.1-27.7 cm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.
These fragments seem to be sections of tomb wall reliefs. They include portions of an offering formula, mention of a 'district', a festival, and the symbol of Anubis. The decoration in different parts of some Middle Kingdom tombs had scenes and texts applied in paint or executed with raised relief carving. -
Egyptian Silver Cat Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £416
Seated figure of a cat with deeply set eyes and pointed ears set on a rectangular base with a rounded end; suspension loop on the back. 0.33 grams, 8 mm
From an early 20th century collection.
The cat was sacred to Bastet, a protective mother goddess and the daughter of the sun god Re. Amulets provided the wearer with the goddess's protection. -
Large Egyptian Blue Glazed Hieroglyphic Shabti
26th Dynasty, 664-525 B.C.Estimate: £1,500 - 2,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £700
Of mummiform type, wearing a tripartite wig and long plaited divine beard, with arms crossed and the left hand holding a pick, the right hand holding a hoe and the cord of a seed bag hanging over his left shoulder, with carefully rendered cosmetic lines around the eyes, narrow eyebrows, and slightly smiling lips giving it a serene expression characteristic of the finest ushabtis of the period; standing on an integral plinth from which a plain back pillar terminating at the base of the wig extends; eight horizontal rows of hieroglyphic inscription, the Sixth Chapter of the Book of the Dead; water worn. 235 grams, 18.6 cm
Acquired on the German art market, 1989-1995. with The Museum Gallery, 19 Bury Place, London, WC1, UK, 1998-2003. Property of a London based academic, 2003-present.
