Egyptian Silver Crocodile Amulet

Depicted wearing a long sleeveless vestis talaris with a V-opening, on the head a high propoloma falling on her shoulders, ears pierced to accept earrings, right arm raised and legs bent at knees. 642 grams, 19.2 cm



The Erotica Collection Christian von Faber-Castell, Küsnacgt ZH, Switzerland, since the late 1970s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Baubo was a minor divinity in Greek mythology, linked to the cult of Demeter and Persephone. The statuette belongs to the second type of Baubo figurines, widespread in the last Ptolemaic and Roman period in Egypt. The Egyptian Baubos are split into two groups, and this one belongs to the first group depicting a woman seating frontally whilst holding a musical instrument or with the open hand in blessing gesture. Many of them were used as amulets or as ex-voto. Christian von Faber-Castell (born 1950) is a renowned German entrepreneur and art collector, best known as a member of the prominent Faber-Castell family, famed for their iconic writing instruments. A passionate advocate for art and culture, Christian von Faber-Castell curated an extensive and diverse private collection of erotica, spanning centuries and cultures. His collection reflects a deep appreciation for the interplay of beauty, sensuality, and artistic expression, bringing together rare and unique works that explore themes of intimacy and human connection. Pieces from this collection have been featured in notable exhibitions and are celebrated for their artistic and historical significance. This offering represents a rare opportunity to acquire works from one of the most fascinating and eclectic private collections of its kind.

An elaborate amulet in bright blue faience, modelled on four sides: Side 1: a diminutive figure of Harpokrates holding a snake in each hand and standing on the back of a lion, below which is a stylised mummiform (?) figure with a nemes headdress and a broad ornamental collar; Side 2: a baboon seated upon a nebyt collar, below which is a standing naked female figure wearing a Hathoric wig; Side 3: a standing naked female figure with right arm hanging by her side and left arm bent at the elbow and forearm positioned beneath her breasts, wearing a composite wig with striated lappets and uraeus to the front, surmounted by two tall ostrich feathers fronted by a sun disc; Side 4: a standing naked female figure with right arm hanging by her side and left arm bent at the elbow and forearm positioned beneath her breasts, wearing a lappet wig and uraeus to the front, surmounted by a tall two-plumed headdress fronted by a sun disc; the figure of a falcon tops the composition, which stands on an integral plinth. 21 grams, 60 mm



Mr F.D. collection, acquired on the European art market, 1975 to present. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

This highly unusual amulet contains elements associated with Horus cippi. On such objects, Horus is depicted as a naked child, usually holding snakes and standing on crocodiles, though other dangerous animals, such as lions, are also represented with him. The goddesses Isis and Nephthys are typically found on cippi, and two of the three female figures on this amulet may represent these goddesses. However, their headdresses are untypical of either deity, while the third female figure sports the Hathor wig.

Comprising tubular beads with interstitial annular beads connecting. 5.11 grams, 70 cm



From an old English collection. Acquired from Helios Gallery, 2011. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.