Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Hieroglyphs

Phillipeaux - Thèbes - Medynet-Abou. Combat Naval sculpté sur la face extérieure du palais exposée au nord - Proof etching on laid paper of plate 10 from La Description de l’Égypte: Antiquités, Volume II: Commission des sciences et arts d’Égypte with later backing sheet. 375 grams, 130.5 x 67 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 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 encyclopaedia devoted exclusively to the remains of ancient Egypt. The plates of this book are the first to present the archaeological sites of Thebes (Luxor). The frieze is from the palace wall of Meninet - Abou.

Blue-green composition with detailed face, dorsal pillar with hieroglyphic text with name of the owner, Aa-mes and his mother; repaired. 31 grams, 95 mm high



Ex TimesAncient, London, UK, item no.J167. Private collection of Mr T.H., Norfolk, UK. Accompanied by a previous dealer's certificate of authenticity.

The bifacial upper part of a handle featuring Hathor, depicted with cow ears and wearing a heavy wig with characteristically curled lappet ends and a broad collar; on either side a uraeus, one of which is wearing the crown of Lower Egypt, the other the Upper Egyptian crown; remains of the sistrum cradle above. 146 grams total, 10.7 cm including stand



with Galerie Gunter Phuze, Kunst der Antike 4, Freiburg, 1982, no.335. German private collection H. W. (1931-2018), acquired 1982. Accompanied by a copy of an IADAA Interpol search certificate. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Galerie Gunter catalogue pages.

The sistrum was a rattle-like instrument played exclusively by women in religious ceremonies. The sound produced by the sistrum was believed to drive away evil and soothe a god's anger. Hathor is the daughter of the sun god Re, and in her role as a mother goddess is often depicted as a cow or with bovine characteristics as here. Hathor is also associated with love, music and dancing, and the sistrum is one of her sacred symbols.