Egyptian Stone Alabastron

The woven textile fragment of linen and wool with a large horizontal decorative band depicting octagonal rosettes inscribed in rhomboids; the rosettes divided by stylised columns decorated with foliage elements; the band edged by two lateral segments formed of octagonal rosettes enclosing flowers, bordered with scalloped geometries; at the bottom four stylised dancers. 285 grams, 60 x 35.5 cm



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

It is the lower part of a cloak from the Fatimid era. The end of the Coptic period was characterised by a treatment of eight-lobed rosettes, a current motif in Muslim art. The four dancers are made as simple signs.

Carved in the round depicting a male carrying a rectangular shrine intended to hold a figure of a goddess; arms and upper chest bare, strap to the chest to support an apron, dorsal pillar to the reverse; accompanied by a custom-made stand. 5.2 kg total, 25 cm high including stand



From the collection of Danish furniture designer Ole Wanscher (1903-1985). Ole Wanscher was a leading figure of the Scandinavian Design movement. Wanscher was inspired by ancient designs, and one of his most famous creations, the 'Egyptian Stool', was based on folding chairs from Egypt's New Kingdom. This piece is visible in the background of a photo of Wanscher in his office, circa 1960. Accompanied by an academic report by Egyptologist Paul Whelan. Accompanied by a copy of the photo of Wanscher in his office, circa 1960. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11843-207728.

Naophorous statues first appear in the New Kingdom, though standing figures with shrines were most popular during the Late and Ptolemaic Periods. Such statues were set up in temples as revealed by the discoveries made between 1895 and 1917 in the Amun temple precincts at Karnak, where thousands of statues, including naopharoi, were recovered from caches.

With naturalistic detailing to the upper body and legs; base engraved with seven rows of hieroglyphic text, a version of Chapter 30b of the Book of the Dead; faience or glazed steatite. 68.5 grams, 54 mm



Ex collection Charles Bouché, (1928 - 2010). Accompanied by an academic report by Egyptologist Paul Whelan. Accompanied by a copy of a French cultural passport no.139368. Accompanied by old sketches of the artefact together with a provisional translation of the hieroglyphic inscription in French; mentioning the god Osiris. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11845-206822