Egyptian Steatite and Other Scarab Collection

Proof etching on laid paper of plate 1 entitled Thèbes. Plan général de la portion de la Vallée du Nil qui comprend les ruines, Volume II, Plate 1. 341 grams, 103.8 x 69.5 cm



From the collection of a North American priest. Acquired between 1981-1996. Property of a North American collector.

Produced between February 1802 and 1830 on the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte; published between 1809 and 1828. Just 1,000 copies were distributed to various institutions, printed on laid paper with an 'Égypte ancienne et moderne' watermark. The book is subtitled Recueil des observations et des recherches qui ont été faites en Égypte pendant l’expédition de l’Armée française, publié par les ordres de Sa Majesté l’Empereur Napoléon le Grand (Gathering of observations and discoveries which were made in Egypt during the expedition of the French army, published on the orders of His Majesty the Emperor Napoleon the Great). It was the world's first encyclopedia devoted exclusively to the remains of ancient Egypt. The plates of this book are the first to present the archaeological sites of Thebes (Luxor).

Composed of overpainted white sclerae with obsidian irises, set into contoured blue glass lids with extending cosmetic lines; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 44.35 grams total including stand, 56 mm each



Property of a North American gentleman, London, UK, 1990-2010. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13254-252260.

The eyes would have been applied to a mummy case. They were carefully bevelled and ground to fit the original mummy case. They could also have been used for the mummy masks.

Comprising flat discs with perforations and a trussed duck with its head laid along its spine. 18.74 grams total, 15-30 mm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.