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LOT 0418
Egyptian Silver Fly Amulet
LATE-PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 664-30 B.C.
3/4 in. (1.28 grams, 20 mm).
With linear detailing to wings, raised eyes, suspension loop above the head. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom an early 20th century collection.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Cf. 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.
CONDITIONTimeLine 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:
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Egyptian Orange Carnelian Poppy Head Amulet
New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, 1550-1292 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
Polished and with integral suspension loop. 0.3 grams, 12 mm
Ex UK gallery, early 2000s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Amulets in the form of poppies were used to heal and alleviate pain and to ward off death. These types of amulets were also linked to Osiris, the Egyptian deity of agriculture, death, and the afterlife. -
Egyptian Faience Triple Eye of Horus Amulet
Third Intermediate Period, 1070-713 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Amulet of a triple Eye of Horus, originally inlaid, pierced longitudinally for suspension. 4.27 grams, 28 mm
From an English deceased estate. Previously with Den of Antiquity, Cambridgeshire, UK, with stock code L838-3. Property of a Bristol, UK, gentleman. Ex TimesAncient, Bristol, UK. Accompanied by a copy of a previous catalogue entry, and a previous dealer's sales ticket. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The Eye of Horus was a powerful symbol of protection in Ancient Egypt, also known as the Wedjet (or Ujat, meaning 'Whole One') and the 'all seeing eye'. It was believed to have healing and protective power and was used as an amulet. -
Egyptian Faience Amulet of an Ibis
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
An exquisitely modelled figure of a seated ibis on a trapezoidal-shaped plinth, with its beak resting on the slender feather of Maat; light turquoise glaze for the body, plinth, and feather; blue glaze for the tail feathers, feet and neck; head absent. 3.54 grams, 31 mm
with Bonhams, Knightsbridge, 3 October 2000, no.413. Private collection, Europe. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The ibis was considered sacred to the god Thoth. It is likely that the popularity of amulets depicting an ibis resting its beak on the feather of Maat in the funerary sphere is connected to Thoth's role as the recorder of the final judgment of the deceased by the divine tribunal. This tribunal determined if the deceased had lived a virtuous life and could enter the Underworld. This was visually represented by the deceased's heart placed on scales with the feather of Maat; if the heart and feather balanced, eternity was assured.
