Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Hieroglyphs

Adam et Leisnier - Thèbes - Byban el Molouk - 1.2. Plan et coupe du quatrième tombeau des rois à l'ouest 3.4. Plan et coupe du cinquième tombeau à l'ouest 5.6. Plan et coupe du cinquième tombeau à l'est - Proof etching on laid paper of plate 78 from La Description de l’Égypte: Antiquités, Volume II: Commission des sciences et arts d’Égypte with later backing sheet. 360 grams, 134 x 66 cm (sheet)



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). The plans are of royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings (Byban el Molouk). Top: Ramesses VI (KV 9); Middle: Tawosret and Sethnakhte (KV 14); Bottom: a son of Ramesses III (KV 3).

Carved in the round with separate articulated arms, painted facial details and wearing a short linen kilt; slightly bent posture, feet pegged to a rectangular base; wooden implement for beating flax in the left hand. 140 grams, 23 cm high



From an early 20th century collection. Ex UK collection. Ex Ancient Art, London N14, UK. Private collection of Mr T.H., Norfolk, UK. Accompanied by a previous dealer's certificate of authenticity.

Comprising mainly black glass beads with dragged trails in contrasting colours; a pale blue bead with eye motifs; a hemispherical green glass bead or weight; and a triangular pendant with red, yellow, blue and white banding. 58 grams total, 9-32 mm



UK private collection formed 1970s-1990s. Property of an East Sussex, UK, gentleman.