Egyptian Limestone 'Floral' Inlay Group

A turquoise blue faience jar probably made in Roman Egypt, in a form similar to that of a Greek column krater, with a broad shoulder and rim, two angled strap handles with scalloped ends, band of raised scales to the shoulder, lotus leaves to the body and shoulder; restored. 2.2 kg, 21 cm wide

Fine condition, restored.

Acquired on the European art market mid 1990s. with Bonhams, Knightsbridge, 22 September 1998, lot 31. with Bonhams, Knightsbridge, 22 April 1999, lot 641. with Christie's, London, 18 October 2005, lot 10. Previously with Mansour Gallery, London W1. Property of a North West London gentleman. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Christie's and Bonhams catalogue pages.

With palmette motif and filigree hoop. 0.15 grams, 8 mm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

Flora-form amulets are thought to symbolise new life, like the growing plants they copied. Many gold palmette elements were found in the New Kingdom tomb of Aper-el at Saqqara, featuring pierced holes rather than a hoop for attachment (Cf. Zivie, A., Découverte à Saqqarah: Le vizir oublié, Paris, 1990, p.149 no.94 for examples).

A netted beadwork panel of annular and tubular glazed composition beads in blues, greens, black, cream and red-brown colours, depicting a mummy face mask with a false beard, a scarab with extended wings below, and the 'Four Sons of Horus’ figures beneath the scarab, joined together with areas of open netting of tubular examples; restrung with some later beads. 113 grams, 30 cm



Ex Mariaud des Serres, Paris, France, 1990s.

Winged scarabs were often used as funerary amulets and believed to symbolise the deceased's rebirth and regeneration. The Four Sons of Horus were deities responsible for protecting the deceased's internal organs. Here, on the left, is the erect-eared jackal-headed Duamutef who protects the stomach, followed by the falcon-headed Qebehsenuef, who protects the intestines, then the human-headed Imsety, protector of the liver and, finally, the baboon-headed Hapy on the right, protector of the lungs. The internal organs were often placed in canopic jars with the head of the respective Son of Horus. Amulets depicting these deities were placed within the mummy wrappings.