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LOT 0009
Egyptian Limestone Relief of a Ptolemaic King
PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 332-30 B.C.
4 1/4 in. (405 grams, 11 cm).
Trapezoidal fragment bearing a low-relief depiction of a Ptolemaic king shown in profile, with characteristic plump cheeks, slightly upturned mouth, and internally detailed ear, wearing a long false beard, the Red or Dual Crown of Egypt with uraeus to the front, and a broad collar; the lower part of a cartouche to the right.
ProvenanceLéon Rodrigues-Ely (1924–1973), Marseille, France.
with Christie's, Paris, 6 May 2015, no.93.
Private collection, Europe.
Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00104585.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12369-226941.
Cf. Chassinat, É., Le Temple d’Edfou,Vol.12, Cairo, 1934, pl.331, for a similar low relief representation of King Ptolemy IV in the Temple of Horus, Edfu.
FootnotesLéon Rodrigues-Ely (1924–1973) was a prominent French collector based in Marseille, known for his keen interest in fine art and antiquities. Throughout his life, Rodrigues-Ely assembled an eclectic and esteemed collection, particularly focusing on European and Mediterranean artifacts. His passion for collecting was fuelled by a deep appreciation for history and culture, and he was well-regarded among art dealers and scholars alike. Many of the pieces in his collection were acquired from significant galleries and private collections across Europe, reflecting his dedication to preserving cultural heritage. Rodrigues-Ely’s collection continued to be highly sought after following his death, with several pieces passing through prestigious auction houses, cementing his legacy in the art world.
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 Bronze Sistrum with Bes and Hathor
Roman Period, 30 B.C.-323 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £14,950
The large liturgical rattle with a columnar handle composed of a bifacial figure of Bes standing on a lotus capital, flanked by seated sphinxes, his feathered crown supporting the bust of goddess Hathor wearing a broad collar and a curling wig, two rearing uraei emerging from the sides to support the base of the rattle, both wearing the pschent crown, above the cobras a standing figure of the goddess Hathor in cow form, wearing a tripartite wig and a sun disc between the horns; the rattle with a looped body with flared outer rims and set with three metal rods to accept metal discs, a pair of reclining lions to the base and the top with three felines surrounding a cockerel, and resting one of their front paws on the bird. 1.52 kg, 39.5 cm
German art market. European private collection, 1970s-early 2000s. Acquired from the above; thence by descent. Private collection, London, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12348-225588.
The sistrum (seshesh in ancient Egyptian) was a rattle-like musical instrument, played exclusively by women in religious ceremonies. It was often decorated with the bust of the goddess Hathor to whom the sistrum was sacred. Their use continued into the Roman period in ceremonies associated with the cult of Isis. -
Egyptian Steatite Scarab
Second Intermediate Period, 17th-16th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
Finely carved scarab with naturalistically detailed legs and head, the underside decorated with a standing figure atop a neb hieroglyph facing a stylised crocodile. 4.06 grams, 21 mm
with Archeological Centre, 2015. Private collection, Europe.
Scarabs with this design have been discovered in the northern Delta of Egypt and Palestine. The influence of the crocodile god Sobek on the production of late middle Bronze Age settlers at Avaris in the Egyptian Delta likely contributed to the popularity of Egyptian-themed scarabs with crocodiles and standing figures found in Palestinian sites. -
Egyptian Wooden Sarcophagus with Falcon Mummy
Late Period-Ptolemaic Period, 664-31 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £8,190
Two-part wooden (sycamore?) falcon-headed mummiform coffin carved from a single piece of wood, with a tripartite wig and human ears, painted detailing to the eyes, and broad decorative collar; the whole covered with black paint with traces of yellow decoration and inscriptions; inside a mummified falcon wrapped in linen strips. 2.3 kg, 49.5 cm
Ex R. Liechti (1934-2010) Geneva, Switzerland, formed between 1950-1990s. Accompanied by a copy of an old collection inventory note. 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.12074-218220.
This falcon-headed coffin once contained a so-called 'corn mummy' - a mummiform effigy impregnated with grain, which germinated. Such 'corn mummies' were associated with Osirian regeneration, fertility, and rebirth concepts. The falcon-headed coffin was associated with the powerful funerary deity Sokar-Osiris or Ptah-Sokar-Osiris. It seems that the original contents of this coffin were either lost or discarded and replaced with a mummified bird (falcon?). Interestingly, the most significant number of falcon-headed coffins come from Tuna el-Gebel, the site of an extensive animal mummy necropolis.
