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LOT 0552
Egyptian Silver Fly Amulet
LATE-PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 664-30 B.C.
3/4 in. (1.02 grams, 21 mm).
With linear detailing to wings, raised eyes, pierced for suspension. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx London, UK, art market, 1990s.
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.
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 Limestone Bas-Relief Panel of Ptah Presiding Over the Smelting of Metals
Old Kingdom, 5th Dynasty, 2498-2345 B.C.Estimate: £80,000 - 100,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £40,000
This expertly carved high-relief scene depicts three male figures with short hairstyles, each wearing a short kilt tied at the waist; the left and central figures carry a small furnace by curved handles, preparing to smelt copper; the central figure also holds a metal poker in his free hand; the figure on the left supports a large container at chest level with one hand; finely rendered hieroglyphic inscriptions in front of each figure record a dialogue among the three metalworkers; the leftmost figure, facing the others, declares “Ptah could not have done better”; the central figure responds with three lines of text “Ptah loves him to pour (into) the brazier of the flame”; the inscription before the rightmost figure reads “copper of the baskets”; together, the second and third texts may be interpreted as “Ptah would love him to pour copper from the baskets into the furnace”; the composition likely formed part of a larger scene illustrating metalworking activities; supplied with a custom-made stand. 21.35 kg total, 53.5 cm wide including stand
with Toufic Arakji, Hamburg, by circa 1980. Private collection, acquired from the above, circa 1980-1994. with Sotheby’s, New York, Antiquities and Islamic Art, 8 June 1994, no.23. Private collection, 1994-2010, acquired at the above sale. with David Aaron, London, UK, 2010-2011. with Daniel Katz Gallery, London, UK. UK private collection. Accompanied by an academic report by Egyptologist Sylvie Caroff. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00142449. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The mention of Ptah – patron god of craftsmen – links this piece to Memphis, suggesting it came from the tomb of a high-ranking official or priest. -
Egyptian Bright Blue Faience Shabti
Ptolemaic Period, 332-30 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Mummiform figure with facial detailing and wearing a lappet wig. 7.05 grams, 54 mm
Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Egyptian Faience Crouching Goddess Amulet
Ptolemaic Period, 332-30 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Formed as a nude Aphrodite crouching on a square base, her hands raised to dress her hair; socket to reverse. 9.25 grams, 42 mm
Acquired on the UK art market during the late 20th century. From the private collection of David King (1940-2024), Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, UK. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
