Egyptian Quartzite Fragment with Hieroglyphs

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.

With detailing to the carapace, the underside divided into four registers, the top and bottom with a winged Horus plaque, one register with a winged scarab flanked by two falcons, the register below with lying sphinxes flanking an ankh; pierced longitudinally. 9.7 grams, 27 mm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.

Modelled in the round, standing nude with left leg extended, wearing a tripartite wig with beads to the lower edges, the arms modelled separately and attached, left arm bent round to the chest, right arm straight to the side; mounting peg to the right leg, feet absent. 210 grams, 40 cm



Acquired on the German art market, 1989-1995. with The Museum Gallery, 19 Bury Place, London, WC1, UK, 1998-2003. Property of a London based academic, 2003-present. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12377-226045.