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LOT 0468
Egyptian Silver Horus Serekh Amulet
LATE-PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 664-30 B.C.
3/8 in. (0.71 grams, 10 mm).
An element from a necklace in the form of Horus in falcon form sitting atop the palace façade motif (serekh). [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. Aldred, C., Jewels of the Pharaohs: Egyptian Jewellery of the Dynastic Period, London, 1971, pp. 21, 173, fig. 1, for similar elements used on a First Dynasty bracelet; Andrews, C., Amulets of Ancient Egypt, London, 1994, p.61 fig. 66 l, for a faience example dated to the Ptolemaic Period.
FootnotesExamples of this distinctive motif can be traced back to the very beginning of Egyptian history. It represents the recessed niches of royal and religious architecture, and served as a device to contain the Horus name of the king. The most notable example of jewellery incorporating this motif is the elaborate bracelet found in the tomb of King Djer at Abydos, which is composed of alternating turquoise and gold falcon-topped serekhs. Similar examples of this element occur as late as the Ptolemaic Period.
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 Faience Bead Bracelet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
A restrung group of annular beads in shades of blue and white; mainly faience, but some possibly shell. 2.01 grams, 17.8 cm long
From the private collection of the late Mrs Belinda Ellison, a long time member of the Egyptian Exploration Society, c.1940-2020. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Egyptian Silver Poppy Amulet
Late-Ptolemaic Period, 664-30 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
Silver poppy-head with loop at the apex. 1.46 grams, 19 mm
From 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. -
Egyptian Black Hardstone Scarab
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Estimate: £400 - 600 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
Dark green hardstone with paler speckles; with a boldly carved head, clypeus, prothorax and elytra, and legs indicated at the sides; plain underside. 17 grams, 29 mm
Ex Irene Newman, Birdham, Chichester, West Sussex, England. with Stride & Son Auctioneers, Chichester, West Sussex, England, 23 April 2015, no.1599 [Part]. Acquired by the present owner at the above sale. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The scarab, which represented the dung beetle, was the most popular amulet in ancient Egypt for approximately two thousand years until the Ptolemaic Period when it gradually fell out of favour. The popularity of scarabs extended beyond the borders of Egypt, and they were also distributed and produced in other regions, such as Phoenicia and Israel. The beetle is named khepri, derived from the verb 'to come into existence', and was considered the embodiment of the creator god Khepri, who was self-engendered. The ancient Egyptians mistakenly believed that the young beetle emerging from the dung ball was the result of an act of self-creation.
