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LOT 0468
Egyptian Hardstone Scarab with Bes
LATE PERIOD, 664-332 B.C.
1 1/4 in. (10.7 grams, 31 mm).
Plano-convex in section with detailed obverse, the underside with the figure of Bes flanked by adoring baboons and sun disks.
ProvenanceEx London, UK collection, 1990s.
LiteratureCf. Matouk, F.S., Corpus du scarabée égyptien. Vol. 2: Analyse thématique, Beirut, 1976, p.345, no.584, for the baboon and Bes motif.
FootnotesBes became one of ancient Egypt's most popular apotropaic deities from the New Kingdom onwards. Despite his somewhat fearful appearance, Bes was the patron and protector of pregnant women and children and believed to protect the wearer from snakes. The depiction of baboons flanking Bes with their arms raised before the sun disk was a common feature on temple wall reliefs. In ancient Egyptian religious literature, baboons heralded the dawn and, thus, the rebirth of the sun.
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Egyptian Funerary Cone for Djedher
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,470
Columnar terracotta cone with flattened base, five horizontal bands of reserved hieroglyphic text giving the dedication: 'Djedher, true of voice, son of Ankhhor who is the son of the hereditary noble, great mayor, great one of the Meshwesh (an ancient Libyan tribe), mayor, overseer of the priests of Banebdju, Djedher, his mother, mistress of the house, Shepensepedet, true of voice.' 895 grams, 16.5 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.
Funerary cones were used to decorate the facades of tombs. The 'tail' was pushed into the soft plaster coating so that only the disc was visible. This cone belongs to Djedher, whose tomb is likely to be in the Asasif region of the Theban necropolis, where other examples of his funerary cones have been found. -
Egyptian White Stone Scarab with Uraei and Falcons
New Kingdom-Late Period, 1550-332 B.C.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £175
Underside with design including hieroglyphs and falcons and uraei. 3.8 grams, 21 mm
Ex North London gentleman's collection, 1990s. Property of a Cambridgeshire, UK, gentleman. -
Egyptian Faience Mummy Bead Necklace
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Restrung group of mainly tubular beads with centrepiece a fragment of the extended wing from a pectoral. 11.9 grams, 94 cm long
From an old English deceased estate. Acquired on the London art market in the early 1990s. Property of a London, UK, collector.