Egyptian Gold Bull Amulet

Relief fragment with dressed face and three edges; the feet and lower body of a human figure in profile wearing a tight-fitting calf-length garment on a baseline; the left forearm behind with hand holding a goose by its pinions; to the left a series of ḥtp hieroglyphs. 3.57 kg, 18.7 cm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12366-226937.

This likely represents part of an offering scene, showing the individual bringing a goose and the hieroglyphs writing ḥtpt, probably part of a phrase referring to 'offerings'.

Isis enthroned wearing a cow's horn headdress with a solar disc, suckling the infant Horus on her lap; loop to rear of crown; mounted on a custom-made stand. 6.2 grams, 39 mm (20.7 grams total, 62 mm including stand)



Ex Mythes & Legend. Ex Cohen collection 2011. Property of a French collector.

In ancient Egyptian mythology, Isis was the sister-wife of Osiris and the mother of the sky god Horus. She is associated with aspects of fertility and motherhood and is often depicted in various artworks seated in a nursing pose with her son Horus on her lap, as here.

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.