Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0014
Egyptian Necklace with Fly Beads
NEW KINGDOM, 18TH DYNASTY, 1550-1350 B.C. AND LATER
19 in. (10.45 grams, 48.5 cm long).
Group of restrung annular turquoise beads with gilt-metal interstitial collars and carnelian fly amulets; S-hook and eye closure; with custom display box.
Provenance
Ex Swiss collection, kept in London since the 1980s.
Accompanied by a copy of a previous illustrated catalogue page.
Literature
Cf. Andrews, C., Ancient Egyptian Jewellery, London, 1990, 174 no. 160a, for a similar necklace with gold flies.
Footnotes
Since Egyptian artists often depicted fly whisks in the hands of pharaohs and high officials, one might assume that flies were simply a nuisance. However, the Egyptians held flies in high regard due to their quick speed, reactions, and persistence. Small fly amulets first appeared in burials during the Naqada II Period, c. 3200 B.C. These amulets grew in popularity, and the materials used to make them expanded during the New Kingdom, including gold, silver, lapis lazuli, carnelian, amethyst, faience, and bone. Fly amulets were believed to protect against insect bites and to ward off troublesome airborne creatures through apotropaic magic. Some believe they may have even been intended to symbolise the fly’s fecundity. Additionally, pharaohs would bestow gold fly-shaped pendants as military awards to honour the bravery and fly-like persistence of soldiers in battle.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine 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.
RELATED LOTS
-
Egyptian Lapis Lazuli Amulet of a Djed Pillar
New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, circa 1550-1295 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £585
Carved as a square-section column with transverse ribs and a decorative finial, incised transverse lines to the body; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 4.84 grams, 49 mm (8.6 grams total, 64 mm including stand)
Ex R. Liechti (1934-2010) collection, Geneva, Switzerland. Private collection, Europe.
The djed pillar signifies the concepts of 'enduring' and 'stability' and was a common funerary amulet from the Old Kingdom onwards. It was first associated with the gods Ptah and Sokar but later became a symbol of Osiris, representing the god's backbone. In this context, the djed pillar appears in Chapter 155 of the Book of the Dead, concerned with the deceased's resurrection. R. Liechti was a distinguished collector of Egyptian antiquities, known for his discerning eye and passion for ancient artefacts. Active during the mid-20th century, Liechti's collection featured a wide range of objects that showcased the rich cultural heritage of ancient Egypt, from intricately carved statuettes to rare amulets and jewellery. His dedication to preserving and studying these relics earned him a respected reputation among scholars and collectors alike. Many pieces from his collection have since found their way into prominent museum collections and auction houses, further solidifying his legacy in the world of antiquities. -
Egyptian Black Stone Scarab
Late Period, 664-332 A.D.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
A finely detailed scarab body on an oval plate, the underside featuring deeply incised hieroglyphs. 15.5 grams, 31 mm
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. -
Egyptian Cylinder Seal with Hieroglyphs
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
Steatite cylinder producing a decorative top and bottom border enclosing a scene depicting a nefer sign flanked by two falcons surmounting the hieroglyph for gold, nub, and another scene to the side depicting a scarab beetle with a double plumed sun disc above; with a suspension hole running through the cylinder's centre. 4.65 grams, 25 mm
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.
