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LOT 0518
Egyptian Silver Fly Amulet
LATE PERIOD, 664-332 B.C.
3/4 in. (1.1 grams, 20 mm).
With linear detailing to body and wings, loop above the neck.
ProvenanceFrom an early 20th century collection.
LiteratureCf. Andrews, C., Amulets of Ancient Egypt, London, 1994, pp.62-3.
FootnotesSmall 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. They are crafted from a variety of materials such as gold, silver, lapis lazuli, carnelian, amethyst, faience, and bone. These amulets were thought to protect against insect bites and to ward off troublesome flying 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.
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AUCTIONS:
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Egyptian Faience Scarab with Hieroglyphs
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £624
Naturalistic detailing to the blue stained body and legs with section of openwork between the front and back legs; hieroglyphs on base giving the good luck message 'When Amun is behind you, do not fear'; pierced for suspension. 1.72 grams, 15 mm
Ex collection of Emil Saad, Paris-Alexandria. -
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Egyptian Turquoise Faience Amphora
Roman Period, 1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,235
A turquoise blue faience jar probably made in Roman Egypt, in a form similar to that of a Greek column krater, with a broad shoulder and rim, two angled strap handles with scalloped ends, band of raised scales to the shoulder, lotus leaves to the body and shoulder; restored. 2.2 kg, 21 cm wide
Fine condition, restored.
Acquired on the European art market mid 1990s. with Bonhams, Knightsbridge, 22 September 1998, lot 31. with Bonhams, Knightsbridge, 22 April 1999, lot 641. with Christie's, London, 18 October 2005, lot 10. Previously with Mansour Gallery, London W1. Property of a North West London gentleman. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Christie's and Bonhams catalogue pages. -
Egyptian Faience Mummy Bead Mask with Four Sons of Horus
Ptolemaic Period, 332-30 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
A netted beadwork panel of annular and tubular glazed composition beads in blues, greens, black, cream and red-brown colours, depicting a mummy face mask with a false beard, a scarab with extended wings below, and the 'Four Sons of Horus’ figures beneath the scarab, joined together with areas of open netting of tubular examples; restrung with some later beads. 113 grams, 30 cm
Ex Mariaud des Serres, Paris, France, 1990s.
Winged scarabs were often used as funerary amulets and believed to symbolise the deceased's rebirth and regeneration. The Four Sons of Horus were deities responsible for protecting the deceased's internal organs. Here, on the left, is the erect-eared jackal-headed Duamutef who protects the stomach, followed by the falcon-headed Qebehsenuef, who protects the intestines, then the human-headed Imsety, protector of the liver and, finally, the baboon-headed Hapy on the right, protector of the lungs. The internal organs were often placed in canopic jars with the head of the respective Son of Horus. Amulets depicting these deities were placed within the mummy wrappings.
