Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Hieroglyphs

The decorative border from a garment (cloak?), wool weaving on linen and purple, tendril pattern; the wide, undecorated central red purple panel framed with purple wavy tendrils with arrowhead-shaped leaves. 131 grams, 41.5 x 26 cm



Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.

Cloaks and mantles were the main type of outer garments worn by men in late antiquity. They are mentioned in the sources under a variety of names: birrus, caracallus,cucullus, lacerna, sagum, paenula and paludamentum. Unfortunately, despite the fact that cloaks were such important garments they are preserved in far fewer numbers from burials in Egypt than tunics, except as fragments.

Carved dressed and ready for consumption, with a plump, stylised form, head and neck resting along the animal's breast, simple linear incising delineating two folded wings to either side, circular recesses for eyes; mounted on a custom-made display stand; cleaned. 354 grams, 12.2 cm (893 grams total including stand)



Acquired before 1970. Private French collection. with Bonhams, New Bond Street, London, 29 April 2009, lot 58. Ex Middle Eastern royal family, living in the UK, 2013-2017. Accompanied by a copy of a French cultural passport no.099505. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11841-206397.

Comprising: three poppy seed amulets; three similar modelled in the half-round; and others. 6.84 grams total, 10-19 mm



Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.