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LOT 0004
Egyptian Pre-Dynastic Greywacke Palette
PREDYNASTIC PERIOD, NAQADA III, CIRCA 3300–2960 B.C.
5 1/4 in. (238 grams, 13.3 cm).
Circular in plan with smoothed faces, pierced through the edge.
ProvenanceAcquired in the mid 1980s-1990s.
Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent.
Private collection, since the late 1990s.
Cf. Petrie, W.M.F., Corpus of Prehistoric Pottery and Palettes, London, 1917, pl.LIII, 77, for two similar examples from the Predynastic cemetery at Tarkhan.
FootnotesPalettes were utilitarian objects used in the Predynastic Period to grind and mix mineral-based eye pigments (including ochre, malachite, and haematite). Greywacke cosmetic palettes were easily carved in various shapes and sizes, including zoomorphic representations and geometric forms. The symbolism of this circular palette may be connected to the sun disc, which featured prominently in ancient Egyptian culture.
The palette was so significant in Predynastic society that purely ceremonial versions, often impractically large for their original purpose, were produced for use in temple rituals. The most famous is the highly decorated Narmer Palette discovered at Hierakonpolis.
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LOT 0004
Egyptian Pre-Dynastic Greywacke Palette
Estimate £500 - 700€580 - 810 (for guidance only)$680 - 950 (for guidance only)
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Egyptian Steatite Scarab
1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £400 - 600 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
With detailed carapace and mouth, hieroglyphs to the underside depicting a pharaoh-headed recumbent lion, with hes-vase in front and the crowns of Lower and Upper Egypt behind. 0.80 grams, 12 mm
Ex R. Liechti (1934-2010) Geneva, Switzerland, formed between 1950-1990s. -
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Egyptian Faience Offering Cup of Ramesses II
New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty, circa 1279-1213 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,170
Blue faience cylindrical offering cup, gently tapering form with slightly flared foot and rim, a black painted rectangular frame containing a hieroglyphic inscription including cartouches containing the throne and birth names of Ramesses II and the dedication: skr-wsı͗r mry nb tꜢwy (wsr-mꜢꜤt-re stp-n-re) nb ḫꜤw (ı͗mn mry re-mssw), ‘Beloved of Sokar-Osiris, lord of the Two Lands (The justice of Re is powerful, Chosen of Re), lord of appearances (Beloved of Amun, Ramesses)’. 29.94 grams, 46 mm
Francesc Cambó i Batlle (1876-1947) a prominent Spanish politician, art patron and philanthropist. Gifted to his friend, the archaeologist Josep Gilbert i Buch. Acquired from Gilbert's family by the present owner's grandfather in the early 1980s. Private collection of a European noble.
Francesco Cambó i Batlle was a notable figure in early 20th century Spain, best known for his role in politics as a leader of the Catalan nationalist movement and as a patron of the arts. He was a key benefactor of the Museo del Prado and left a significant legacy through his art collections. His deep connection to the cultural and artistic life of Spain makes items from his collection particularly valuable and historically significant. -
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Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Bes
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Estimate: £150 - 200 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £75
Plano-convex in section with detailed obverse, the underside with the figure of Bes flanked by adoring baboons and sun discs. 10.7 grams, 31 mm
Ex London, UK collection, 1990s.
Bes became one of ancient Egypt's most popular apotropaic deities from the New Kingdom onwards. Despite his somewhat fearful appearance, Bes was the patron and protector of pregnant women and children and believed to protect the wearer from snakes. The depiction of baboons flanking Bes with their arms raised before the sun disk was a common feature on temple wall reliefs. In ancient Egyptian religious literature, baboons heralded the dawn and, thus, the rebirth of the sun.
