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LOT 0034
Egyptian Lapis Lazuli Amulet of a Djed Pillar
NEW KINGDOM, 18TH DYNASTY, CIRCA 1550-1295 B.C.
2 in. (2 1/2 in.) (4.84 grams, 49 mm (8.6 grams total, 64 mm including stand)).
Carved as a square-section column with transverse ribs and a decorative finial, incised transverse lines to the body; mounted on a custom-made display stand.
ProvenanceEx R. Liechti (1934-2010) collection, Geneva, Switzerland.
Private collection, Europe.
Cf. National Museums Liverpool, accession no.M11918a, for a later example in lapis lazuli.
FootnotesThe djed pillar signifies the concepts of 'enduring' and 'stability' and was a common funerary amulet from the Old Kingdom onwards. It was first associated with the gods Ptah and Sokar but later became a symbol of Osiris, representing the god's backbone. In this context, the djed pillar appears in Chapter 155 of the Book of the Dead, concerned with the deceased's resurrection.
R. Liechti was a distinguished collector of Egyptian antiquities, known for his discerning eye and passion for ancient artefacts. Active during the mid-20th century, Liechti's collection featured a wide range of objects that showcased the rich cultural heritage of ancient Egypt, from intricately carved statuettes to rare amulets and jewellery. His dedication to preserving and studying these relics earned him a respected reputation among scholars and collectors alike. Many pieces from his collection have since found their way into prominent museum collections and auction houses, further solidifying his legacy in the world of antiquities.
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Very Large Egyptian Faience Shabti for Hor-Aset
Late Period, 664-322 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,860
The upper part of a large mummiform shabti wearing a striated tripartite wig and long plaited divine beard, holding a pick in the left hand, the right hand holding a hoe and the cord of a seed bag hanging over his left shoulder; the face expertly modelled with carefully rendered cosmetic lines around the eyes, slightly smiling lips giving it a serene expression; plain back pillar terminating at the base of the wig; five horizontal rows of hieroglyphic inscription giving the dedication sḥḏ wsı͗r ḥr (-pn-n-) Ꜣst, ‘The illuminated one, the Osiris Hor (pen-en) Aset’ followed by a version of Chapter 6 from the Book of the Dead; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 509 grams total, 20 cm including stand
Ex Y.F. collection. Acquired in the US, 2011. with Medusa Ancient Art, Quebec. Private collection, Europe. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12374-226922. -
Egyptian Bronze Head of Harpocrates
Late Period, circa 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Head from a statuette of Harpocrates, wearing the Pschent crown fronted by uraeus, sporting the large plaited sidelock above the right ear. 86.5 grams, 60 mm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.
Harpocrates is the Greek rendering of the Egyptian Hor-pa-khered, meaning 'Horus the Child'. This title refers to Horus as the divine infant of Isis and Osiris. Wearing the amulet of Harpocrates was believed to offer the same protection that Isis gave her beloved son. -
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Egyptian Bronze Head of a Pharaoh with Inlaid Eyes
Third Intermediate Period, 21st-22nd Dynasty, circa 1069-900 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £49,400
Hollow-formed mask with integral tripartite wig and mount for a uraeus; impassive facial detailing and applied gold cosmetic lines to eyes, eyebrows, and lateral chin straps of the braided 'false beard'; segment of the wesekh-collar visible between the lappets of the wig; some restoration; mounted on a custom-made stand within a padded wooden display case. 1.2 kg, 22.5 cm high including stand (3.27 kg total, 27 cm including case)
Old French family collection of Monsieur and Madame D., 1960s. Ex Rennes Enchères, Hôtel des Ventes, France, 11 March 2003, no.117 (front-cover) for 150,000.00 euros. Acquired from Mansour Gallery, London W1, UK, in 2013. From the collection of a Kensington gentleman. Private collection, UK. Accompanied by the original Rennes Enchères catalogue. Accompanied by a copy of French passport no.058205 dated 15 April 2003. Accompanied by a copy of Mansour Gallery’s invoice, 2013. Accompanied by previous typed and illustrated collection cataloguing pages. 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 a search certificate number no.12372-225585.
