Egyptian Statuette of a Standing Monkey

Set of four flat-backed plaques depicting the standing figures of the four sons of Horus (from left to right: Duamutef, Imsety, Hapy, and Qebehsenuef) in profile, each wearing a tripartite wig, broad collars, and holding a long folded cloth; mounted on a stand. 81 grams total, 95 x 80 mm including stand



Gunther Markert collection, Germany/Switzerland, 1954 or 1961. with Robert Bigler, Switzerland. Private collection, London, UK, acquired from the above on 12 October 2001. Accompanied by a copy of the Robert Bigler invoice. 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 Four Sons of Horus were deities tasked with protecting the internal organs of the deceased. The human-headed Imsety safeguarded the liver, the baboon-headed Hapy looked after the lungs, the jackal-headed Duamutef defended the stomach, and the falcon-headed Qebehsenuef protected the intestines. Amulets featuring these deities were included within the mummy wrappings.

Comprising (from left to right and top to bottom): 1) a scarab with an oval border containing the seated figure of a seated deity with arm raised in adoration before the sign partially resembling the hieroglyphic sign for a ‘thousand’, with the water and signs below; 2) a scarab with a faint oval border containing the honey bee and reed leaf symbols; 3) a scarab with an oval border containing the throne name of the 19th Dynasty pharaoh, Ramesses II (User-Maat-Re) atop a neb sign; 4) a scarab with indeterminate signs; 5) a scarab with an oval border containing the falcon god Ra-Horakhty standing atop a neb sign; 6) a scarab inscribed with numerous geometric designs that incorporate the name Amun-Re; 7) a plain scaraboid. 17.4 grams total, 10-20 mm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Carved rectangular plaque with central recess, carved image of a nude female modelled in the half-round with a deeply striated bag wig, arms by her side; traces of red and black pigment on the body; mounted on a custom-made stand. 502 grams total, 17.1 cm including stand



From a central London collection, formed 1980-2000. From the private collection of Mr David Barker, London, UK; thence by descent. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The rectangular limestone plaque almost certainly represents a shrine. Such plaques first appeared in Lower Egypt and became widespread in the Late Period and Ptolemaic era. They may have developed from earlier female figurines depicted on beds and are usually associated with the female goddesses Isis and Hathor, both powerful protectors of women and childbirth and associated with fertility.