Loading, please wait...
_900x900.jpg "Egyptian Marble Head of a Queen")
_200x200.jpg "Egyptian Marble Head of a Queen")
.jpg "Egyptian Marble Head of a Queen")
LOT 0517
Egyptian Marble Head of a Queen
PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 323-30 B.C.
4 in. (5 5/8 in.) (313 grams total, 10 cm high (14.3 cm high including stand)).
Modelled in the half-round in Hellenistic style with a stephane and centre-parted hair, serene facial features including hooded eyes and pert lips; mounted on a custom-made wooden display stand.
ProvenanceEx Hanna Saba collection, Ambassador to Egypt-USA-France (1909-1992).
Private European collection.
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 a search certificate number no.12083-218194.
See Walker S., Higgs, P., Cleopatra Regina d’Egitto, Milano, 2000; Walker, S., Higgs, P., Cleopatra of Egypt, from History to the Myth, London, 2001; for discussion see Berman, L.M., The Cleveland Museum of Art Catalogue of Egyptian Art, New York, 1999; Andrews, C., van Dijk, J., Objects for Eternity: Egyptian Antiquities from the W. Arnold Meijer Collection, Mainz am Rhein, 2006.
FootnotesThe head is similar to various portraits of Ptolemaic queens, some of them identified as belonging to the famous Berenice II (246-222 B.C.), some others to Cleopatra VII Philopator (69-30 BC), the lover of Julius Caesar, the spouse of Mark Anthony and the last Queen of Egypt. The analogies with Berenike II’s portrait are noteworthy, especially with the portrait in the Cairo Museum (inv.JE 39517): the diadem and its position on the top of the head, similar physical features, and similar roundness of the cheeks.
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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
-
Egyptian Blue Faience Grapes Amulet
Ptolemaic Period, 332-30 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Plano-convex in section with integral loop. 1.38 grams, 19 mm
From the private collection of the late Mr S.M., 1969-1999. -
Large Mounted Egyptian Coptic Textile Pair with Animals
Mid 6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,560
Pair of decorative tunic strips (clavi) ending with circular decorations (orbiculi), red, green and yellow wool, S-twist tapestry, decorated with two rows of lions alternating with vegetal elements running in a contrasting manner. 434 grams total, mount: 1.21 m
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
Among the many fragments of wool tunics are several long strips that match to form nearly full-length central pectoral clavi. They are patterned with a profusion of small figures or interlaced abstract designs, birds, plants and animals with a contrasting border filled with geometric motifs. -
Large Egyptian Coptic Textile Fragment
Circa 7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
Fragment from a tunic in coarse linen and purple violet wool, preserving the ornamentation of neck and chest, decorated with alternating medallions, with figures enclosed within the orbiculi of the vertical braids (clavi), representing nude or lightly dressed dancers; the upper part of the fragment featuring a decoration of red triangles descending downwards. 224 grams, 62 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
This iconographic theme, originating from the pagan repertoire of Greek origin, was common on late Roman tunics: it evoked the joyful processions of Dionysus' servants.
