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LOT 0030
Egyptian Limestone Bas-Relief Panel of Ptah Presiding Over the Smelting of Metals
OLD KINGDOM, 5TH DYNASTY, 2498-2345 B.C.
21 in. (21.35 kg total, 53.5 cm wide including stand).
This expertly carved high-relief scene depicts three male figures with short hairstyles, each wearing a short kilt tied at the waist; the left and central figures carry a small furnace by curved handles, preparing to smelt copper; the central figure also holds a metal poker in his free hand; the figure on the left supports a large container at chest level with one hand; finely rendered hieroglyphic inscriptions in front of each figure record a dialogue among the three metalworkers; the leftmost figure, facing the others, declares “Ptah could not have done better”; the central figure responds with three lines of text “Ptah loves him to pour (into) the brazier of the flame”; the inscription before the rightmost figure reads “copper of the baskets”; together, the second and third texts may be interpreted as “Ptah would love him to pour copper from the baskets into the furnace”; the composition likely formed part of a larger scene illustrating metalworking activities; supplied with a custom-made stand.
Provenancewith Toufic Arakji, Hamburg, by circa 1980.
Private collection, acquired from the above, circa 1980-1994.
with Sotheby’s, New York, Antiquities and Islamic Art, 8 June 1994, no.23.
Private collection, 1994-2010, acquired at the above sale.
with David Aaron, London, UK, 2010-2011.
with Daniel Katz Gallery, London, UK.
UK private collection.
Accompanied by an academic report by Egyptologist Sylvie Caroff.
Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00142449.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
For a comparable scene, see Hayes, W.C., The Scepter of Egypt, vol. I, p. 98, where a similar composition is described from the tomb of Re-em-kuy.
FootnotesThe mention of Ptah – patron god of craftsmen – links this piece to Memphis, suggesting it came from the tomb of a high-ranking official or priest.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0030
Egyptian Limestone Bas-Relief Panel of Ptah Presiding Over the Smelting of Metals
Estimate £80,000 - 100,000€92,800 - 116,000 (for guidance only)$108,000 - 135,000 (for guidance only)
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Egyptian Carnelian Fly Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Carved with ribbed body and eye detailing; drilled through the body for suspension. 0.34 grams, 10 mm
Ex London, UK, 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Small fly amulets first appeared in burials during the Naqada II Period, c. 3200 B.C. These amulets grew in popularity and the materials used to make them expanded during the New Kingdom. They are crafted from a variety of materials such as gold, silver, lapis lazuli, carnelian, amethyst, faience, and bone. These amulets were thought to protect against insect bites and to ward off troublesome flying creatures through apotropaic magic. Some believe they may have even been intended to symbolise the fly’s fecundity. Additionally, pharaohs would bestow gold fly-shaped pendants as military awards to honour the bravery and fly-like persistence of soldiers in battle. -
Egyptian Faience Amulet Representing Sobek
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Estimate: £600 - 800 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £300
On a rectangular base, Sobek standing in crocodile form with human arms resting on an ankh symbol. 9.82 grams, 54 mm
Private collection, Carouge, Switzerland, assembled in the 1980s-1990s. Thence by descent to the collection of Mr S.P., since 2020. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Egyptian Black Serpentine Pataikos Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £72
Standing nude with hands clasped to the midriff, pierced at the shoulders and with drilled eyes, pierced across the head for suspension. 7.76 grams, 35 mm
Fine condition.
Property of a London gentleman; acquired in the 1970s. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
From the New Kingdom onward, Bes became one of ancient Egypt's most popular apotropaic deities. Despite his somewhat fearsome appearance, Bes served as the patron and protector of pregnant women and children, and was also believed to shield them from snakes.
