Egyptian Greywacke Cosmetic Fish Spoon Section

A blue-glazed composition amulet in the form of an ibis (representing the god Thoth) seated on a wedge-shaped base, facing a figure of Maat appearing as a diminutive stooping female with an ostrich feather; some details to both figures rendered in a darker blue glaze; suspension loop to the rear of the bird's neck. 9.15 grams, 37 mm



Acquired from Dr Jan Beekmans, circa 1984. UK private collection.

Maat and the moon god Thoth, husband and wife, together embody wisdom and cosmic order. As a divine couple, they served the sun god, Re. Like Thoth, the ancient Egyptians connected the ibis with the moon, owing to its crescent moon-shaped beak. The ibis was well known in antiquity for its refusal to drink unhealthy and poisoned water, or to kill poisonous reptiles, and set mankind an example of cleanliness; thus, like the god Thoth, the ibis offered protection against dangerous forces and served as a model for purity and good sense. Maat embodies the order that Thoth protects. Her symbol, an ostrich feather, references a bird that inhabits desert and savannah habitats, although it must never wander too far away from rivers and lakes. The ostrich cannot fly, but it is a fast runner and a strong fighter.

A composition amulet fragment of the god Harpocrates, modelled nude, with stylised facial features and the Sidelock of Youth; light blue-green glaze with darker glaze to his hair and the lower part of the hem-hemet crown; pierced lug to reverse of crown for suspension. 6.72 grams, 51 mm high



Acquired 1980s-1990s. H.N. collection, Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire, UK.

A group of five ceramic fragments from Tell el Amarna, comprising: a bread mould fragment with one rounded face, believed to originate from the Small Aten Temple; a decorated blue ware fragment featuring a polychrome painted geometric design; a fragment believed to have come from the King's House, Tell el Amarna; a probable miniature vessel with foot and chipped rim. 711 grams total, 5.2-14.4 cm



From an old UK collection. From the private collection of Alf Baxendale (1941-2016) part 2, keen Egyptologist, member of the Egyptology Society, trustee of the Amarna Trust; thence by descent. Accompanied by three identification display cards. Accompanied by a copy of his obituary published in Horizon, The Amarna Project and Amarna Trust newsletter, Issue 18, 2017, p.21, by Barry John Kemp, CBE, FBA, Professor Emeritus of Egyptology at the University of Cambridge and directing excavations at Amarna in Egypt.