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LOT 0415
Egyptian Steatite Tilapia Fish Plaque Amulet
LATE PERIOD, 664-332 B.C.
5/8 in. (1.72 grams, 16 mm).
The domed upper face shaped as a fish with scale detailing, the underside has three hieroglyphs consisting of a men (draughtboard) sign, with a figure of a standing deity wearing a sun-disc crown next to a large Maat feather to the right, pierced longitudinally.
ProvenanceEx Mustaki collection, early 20th century, UK.
Accompanied by a previously illustrated catalogue card with provenance.
Cf. Andrews, C., Amulets of Ancient Egypt, London, 1994, p. 41, for a discussion of fish amulets.
FootnotesFish amulets symbolised regeneration.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0415
Egyptian Steatite Tilapia Fish Plaque Amulet
Estimate £100 - 140€120 - 160 (for guidance only)$140 - 190 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£50 (EUR 58; USD 68) +BP*
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Egyptian Faience Scarab
2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Bids: 3 | Current Bid: £15
Anatomical detailing on the head and legs, with the underside featuring sedge plant (swt), ankh, and nefer symbols. 0.89 grams, 18 mm
Private collection, 1990s-early 2000s.
Scarabs featuring this design arrangement have been found in numerous sites in Palestine and were inspired by Middle Kingdom prototypes. -
Egyptian Miniature Alabaster Jar
New Kingdom, 1550-1295 B.C.Estimate: £30 - 40 (+bp*)
Bids: 5 | Current Bid: £35
Miniature alabsatron with ovoid body and flared rim to the mouth; collector's inked number '1' inside mouth; rim chipped. 22 grams, 41 mm
From the collection of David Donlan (1947–2025), a dedicated and lifelong collector with a passion for the ancient world and the natural sciences, forming his collection from 1960s onwards, using many reputable dealers across the United Kingdom, including the well-regarded Coincraft and The Parthenon Gallery. -
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Egyptian Predynastic Stone Frog
4th millennium B.C.Estimate: £1,200 - 1,700 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £600
Pyramidal in form with shallow-carved hip and facial detailing. 537 grams, 81 mm
with Artemis Gallery, Munich, Germany, 2001. Private collection, Europe. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12580-232124.
The frog had a great role in ancient Egyptian mythology and was connected with the mythology of creation. A number of gods and goddesses were connected with the frog such as Heqet, Ptah, and Heh. The connection with the god Ptah as a god of creation was probably due to the idea that Ptah was the only god who created the world in ancient Egypt through his heart and his tongue. Every work of the god came about through what his heart devised and his tongue commanded. Frogs were often associated with Hekat, deity of birth and fecundity. Amulets of frogs were frequent votive gifts at such Predynastic and Archaic sites at Abydos, Naqada, and Saqqara.
