Egyptian Green Glazed Faience Amulet of Nephthys

Hollow-formed lid of a jar with anthropomorphic figure crouching with left hand on the knee; right hand hollow to form a socket; head absent. 173 grams, 90 mm



Phillips International Auctioneers & Valuers, Tribal & Antiquities Sale, 25th June 1998, no.15 (part). Property of a West Northamptonshire, UK, gentleman.

Plano-convex in section with plain back, mummiform type with agricultural tools. 9.43 grams, 70 mm



Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

A solid cast statuette modelled in the round as a kneeling pharaoh wearing a thigh-length shendyt kilt, a broad collar and a nemes headdress adorned with a uraeus to the brow; with open hands positioned as though they once held an object, palms facing inward; mounted on a custom-made stand. 1.62 kg total, 16.7 cm high including stand



Private collection, E.M. (1880-1954), since the 1930s. Accompanied by an academic report by Egyptologist Paul Whelan. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13196-249244.

The figure's overall appearance, particularly the muscular upper body, resembles two kneeling bronze figures – Brooklyn Museum 71.11 and Pennsylvania Museum E.13004 – both bearing the cartouche of 26th Dynasty pharaoh Necho II (610-595 BC). Unlike the varied poses of kneeling stone statues, those in bronze consistently rest on their knees and toes, with heels positioned under their buttocks. Figures with this hand gesture are often thought to have originally held an offering vessel or ritual object. However, none of the existing examples shows signs of having held an object. Instead, the gesture may symbolise both giving and receiving, representing veneration, offering, and a plea for protection to a particular deity.