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LOT 0431
Egyptian Jasper Fly Amulet
LATE PERIOD, 664-332 B.C.
1/2 in. (0.88 grams, 14 mm).
Carved in the round resting on an oval base, striated body; pierced longitudinally.
ProvenanceEx London and Home Counties collection, UK, 1920-1940.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Egyptian artists often depicted fly whisks with pharaohs and officials, suggesting flies were just nuisances. In reality, Egyptians valued flies for their speed and persistence. Small fly amulets appeared around 3200 B.C. in Naqada II burials, gaining popularity and varying materials during the New Kingdom, including gold, silver, lapis lazuli, carnelian, amethyst, faience, and gemstones. These amulets were thought to protect against insect bites and troublesome creatures via apotropaic magic and possibly symbolised fecundity. Pharaohs awarded gold fly-shaped pendants to honour soldiers' bravery in battle.
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 Faience Bead Necklace String
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
Composed of light blue tubular beads interspersed with darker coloured annular beads; restrung. 8.7 grams total, 101 cm long
Acquired on the UK art market, circa 1980. Property of an East London, UK, collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
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Egyptian Gold Fly Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
With hatched detailing to the body and wings. 1.62 grams, 17 mm
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Considering that Egyptian artists often depicted fly whisks in the hands of pharaohs and high officials, one might assume that flies were merely a nuisance. However, the Egyptians held flies in high regard for their speed, quick reactions, and persistence. Small fly amulets first appeared in burials during the Naqada II Period, around 3200 B.C. These amulets gained popularity, and the materials used to make them varied during the New Kingdom. They were crafted from various materials such as gold, silver, lapis lazuli, carnelian, amethyst, faience, and bone. These amulets were believed to protect against insect bites and to ward off troublesome flying creatures through apotropaic magic. Some believe they may have even symbolised the fly’s fecundity. Additionally, pharaohs would bestow gold fly-shaped pendants as military awards to honour the bravery and persistence of soldiers in battle. -
Egyptian Mixed Scarab and Scaraboid Collection
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £500 - 700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £250
Comprising (from left to right, top to bottom): 1) a scarab with an oval border containing a goose, nefer(?), and a reed leaf; 2) a scarab with an oval border featuring a triple lotus flower motif at the top and bottom, with a middle row of floral bundles; 3) a scaraboid with a long oval border containing a cross pattern incorporating scrolls, coiled cords, and floral elements; 4) a scarab with an oval border featuring a hes-jar flanked by two cobras; 5) a scarab with a standing male figure holding a sceptre/mace and a flail, flanked by two highly stylised rearing cobras; 6) a plain scarab; 7) and a scarab with an oval border containing the name Amun-Re, a neb symbol, and a lotus flower. 13 grams total, 11-23 mm
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
