Egyptian Lapis Lazuli Heart Amulet

With a round face, large eyes, a narrow nose that broadens at the end, and full lips downturned at the corners; the forehead with a distinctive deep furrow above the brow; a narrow, twisted diadem encircling his wavy hair; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 84 grams total, 10 cm including stand



Private collection, Bern, Switzerland. with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12631-236408.

The Greek hairstyle is a characteristic feature of Ptolemaic royal portraiture, as is the twisted diadem - a Greek interpretation of the Egyptian headband (the sšd) - which appears on several portrait heads of Ptolemaic boy-kings and princes. The distinctive furrow is intriguing, as it contrasts with the typically blemish-free physiognomy of most Ptolemaic royal sculpture. However, a similar furrow can be seen on the portrait head of a provincial governor from Dendera, dated to the 2nd century B.C. (Bothmer, B.V., Egyptian Sculpture of the Late Period 700 B.C. to A.D. 100, New York, 1960, pp. 144-143, pl. 112, nos. 301-302), which may indicate an artistic trend employed in high-status sculpture at that time. It has been suggested that small royal portrait heads, such as this example, may have served as votives. The lack of an Egyptian-style back pillar on this and similar pieces supports the possibility that they were inserted into statues made of different materials (Ashton, S.-A., Ptolemaic Royal Sculpture from Egypt, BAR International Series 923, Oxford, 2001, p.12).

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.

Spherical, bicone, and tubular stone beads with a vessel, and two cornflower amulets, restrung with a modern clasp fitting. 17.45 grams, 42 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s-2000s.