Loading, please wait...
LOT 0438
Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Bes, Vulture and Cobras
NEW KINGDOM, 1550-1070 B.C.
1 1/4 in. (9.35 grams, 33 mm).
Naturalistically carved scarab upper; underside carved with vulture atop a figure of Bes flanked by rearing cobras. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceUK private collection before 2000.
Acquired on the UK art market.
Property of a London gentleman.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Cf. Matouk, F.S., Corpus du scarabée égyptien. Vol. 2: Analyse thématique, Beirut, 1976, p. 374, nos. 56-59, for examples of scarabs with variant versions of this decorative arrangement featuring Bes.
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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
-
Egyptian Carnelian Fly Amulet
Late-Ptolemaic Period, 664-30 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Formed as a fly with long triangular wings on a tongue-shaped base. 0.65 grams, 12 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. -
Large Egyptian Bronze Statue of Khonsu
Late Period, 26th Dynasty, 664-525 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £23,400
Standing in advancing pose on a rectangular base; the god modelled with a disc representing the full-moon surmounting a crescent new moon atop his head and fronted by a uraeus, the falcon-head sports a finely striated tripartite wig and with beaded silver wire frames to the (once inlaid) eyes; wearing a broad wesekh collar; the left arm bent and fist drilled to grip a staff, right arm straight to the side with similar drilled fist; pleated shendyt kilt and belt to the hips; mounted on a tiered socle base. 896 grams total, 27 cm including stand
Very fine condition.
Smith family collection, Cambridge, UK since 1949. Private UK collection since 1978. Accompanied by a scholarly note by Egyptologist Paul Whelan. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11033-183985. 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 moon god Khonsu (whose name means 'wanderer', referring to the passage of the moon across the sky) is known as a blood-thirsty sky-deity in the Pyramid Texts. In New Kingdom Thebes, however, he was regarded as a far more benevolent deity, being the child of Amun and Mut, and provided with his own temple at Karnak. There, he was considered to control destiny. Khonsu can appear in human form with a side-lock of youth, wearing an enveloping garment, and holding royal regalia, and also as a falcon-headed man with the full moon and crescent new moon headdress, as with this fine example. In his falcon-headed form he frequently holds an ankh symbol and a was-sceptre, for which the hands of this piece were drilled to accept the god's well-known attributes. -
Coptic Decorative Textile with Figures
6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
Linen and wool, Quadratic textile fragment with brown frame, several stylised human and zoomorphic figures as well as vegetal elements in front of a yellow background; another, smaller brown frame with green background and further figures, probably a segmentum from a tunic, fixed on linen, minor lacunae. 2.14 kg total, 65 x 47 cm
London art market, 2009. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
