Egyptian Steatite Scaraboid with Face

Plano-convex in section with integral loop. 1.38 grams, 19 mm



From the private collection of the late Mr S.M., 1969-1999.

Proof etching on laid paper of plate 64 from Vol.II of Description de l'Égypte : ou, Recueil des observations et des recherches qui ont été faites en Égypte pendant l'expédition de l'armée française. entitled Thèbes. Hypogées. Manuscrit sur papyrus. 4eme partie. 235 grams, 105 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). The papyrus manuscript was recovered from an underground tomb chamber (hypogeum). This includes a scene (bottom right) depicting the weighing of the deceased's heart before Osiris's divine tribunal. The heart is balanced against the feather of Maat, and the ibis-headed Thoth records the verdict. If the heart fails to balance, it is devoured by a fearsome creature called Ammut, and the deceased would cease to exist.

Rectangular relief showing the pharaoh wearing the pschent crown of Upper and Lower Egypt and presenting the hieroglyphic sign of a field (sḫt) in his outstretched palms towards the now barely discernible figure of a standing deity holding a long sceptre; an empty cartouche above and a column of worn hieroglyphic text below; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 18.4 kg total, 45.5 cm including stand



Acquired 1970s-1996. Private collection, Switzerland. with a North American collector. London collection, 2016. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12943-244661.

Scenes showing the pharaoh offering various items, including fields, to one or more deities are found in temples across Egypt. The empty cartouche is a feature most often seen in inscriptions from Ptolemaic and Roman-period temples, reflecting uncertainty over the holder of power in the country.