Egyptian Miniature Turquoise Scarab

Comprising three restrung composition necklaces, each composed of multiple strands of polychrome beads of mainly annular and tubular types. 75 grams total, 68-76 cm long



Acquired before 1979. From the private collection of Mr F. A., South Kensington, London, UK; thence by descent 2014.

Red and yellow faience were among the new colours appeared in the XVIIIth Dynasty, but they were in use until the Late Period. It was ideally formed from a core of sand and quartz and a vitreous alkaline glaze. It was the preferred medium of Egyptian jewellers even before the Fist Dynasty, because of its malleability and its ability to imitate other more expensive materials thanks to the colour of the glaze.

Adam et Leisnier - Thèbes - Byban el Molouk - 1.2. Plan et coupe du quatrième tombeau des rois à l'ouest 3.4. Plan et coupe du cinquième tombeau à l'ouest 5.6. Plan et coupe du cinquième tombeau à l'est - Proof etching on laid paper of plate 78 from La Description de l’Égypte: Antiquités, Volume II: Commission des sciences et arts d’Égypte with later backing sheet. 360 grams, 134 x 66 cm (sheet)



From the collection of a North American priest. Acquired between 1981-1996. Property of a North American collector.

Produced between February 1802 and 1830 on the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte; published between 1809 and 1828. Just 1,000 copies were distributed to various institutions, printed on laid paper with an 'Égypte ancienne et moderne' watermark. The book is subtitled Recueil des observations et des recherches qui ont été faites en Égypte pendant l’expédition de l’Armée française, publié par les ordres de Sa Majesté l’Empereur Napoléon le Grand (Gathering of observations and discoveries which were made in Egypt during the expedition of the French army, published on the orders of His Majesty the Emperor Napoleon the Great). It was the world's first encyclopedia devoted exclusively to the remains of ancient Egypt. The plates of this book are the first to present the archaeological sites of Thebes (Luxor). The plans are of royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings (Byban el Molouk). Top: Ramesses VI (KV 9); Middle: Tawosret and Sethnakhte (KV 14); Bottom: a son of Ramesses III (KV 3).

Carved and painted hooded cobra with sun-disc. 20.1 grams, 10.5 cm



Christopher Martin, Ancient & Oriental, London, UK. Ex James Brenchley, Sherborne, UK. Private collection of Mr T.H., Norfolk, UK. Accompanied by a previous dealer's certificate of authenticity and invoice.