Egyptian Mixed Loose Faience Bead Group

Proof etching on laid paper of plate 68 from Vol .II of Description de l'Égypte : ou, Recueil des observations et des recherches qui ont été faites en Égypte pendant l'expédition de l'armée française. entiled Thèbes. Hypogées. Manuscrit sur papyrus. 256 grams, 104 x 68.5 cm



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 papyrus manuscript was recovered from an underground tomb chamber (hypogeum). The text is written in a cursive style of hieroglyphs known as hieratic.

Modelled standing with arms held vertically at his sides, wearing a tripartite wig surmounted by a lotus flower flanked by scrolled leaves; dorsal pillar with low-relief image of Sekhmet in lioness-headed form and solar disc above; mounted on a custom-made stand. 480 grams total, 19.5 cm high including stand



with Art Ancient, London, UK. Private collection, London, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13352-257009.

Nefertum is often depicted with a prominent lotus blossom above his head, symbolising both his divine beauty and his connection to the sun's rejuvenating power. He is sometimes portrayed with a lion's head or a lioness’s mane, or, as here, accompanied by an image of his lioness mother, Sekhmet, on his back, emphasising his link to her fierce and healing powers.

Modelled in the round with a piriform body and two lateral projections with striations. 7.66 grams, 30 mm



Ex N. Thomas private collection, UK, 1980s-1990s. Accompanied by a previous dealer's sales ticket.