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LOT 0060
Egyptian Stone Head
COPTIC, CIRCA 6TH CENTURY A.D.
11 1/2 in. (2.92 kg total, 29 cm wide including stand).
Stylised face with broad surrounding hood with corrugated texture to the outer face; lentoid face with reserved almond eyes, D-section nose and slit mouth; with arc of drilled holes around the inner edge of the hood to accept inset ornaments, more holes to the forehead, eyes, cheeks and chin; mounted on a custom-made stand. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000.
From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
Cf. similar head of less refined workmanship in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, under accession no.25.10.20.58.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Bronze Bust with Phallus
Roman, 1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £364
Modelled as a grotesque male head, depicted clean-shaven and hairless apart from a small tuft of hair to the rear with a raised phallus above; the neck developing to a broad circular socket with flange rim; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 377 grams total, 14.5 cm including stand
From an old Nevers collection, acquired before 1960. Ex Hotel des Ventes de Nevers. Property of a French collector. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12035-214900.
The exact meaning of these grotesque busts surmounted by a phallus is disputed, although Rolland (p.106) believes that they originated in Alexandria among the priests of the cult of Isis. Similar busts have been discovered in the Roman Gallia, at Bavay and Strasbourg. -
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Greek Marble Head of Dionysus
3rd-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £23,400
Carved in the half-round in three-quarter view, youthful male head with stern features, hair gathered in a browband, horns to the brow; from a frieze or relief; mounted on a custom-made stand. 1.59 kg total, 18.7 cm high including stand
Private European collection. Acquired on the Swiss art market, October 2013. European private collection. Accompanied by a copy of the 2013 invoice. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12085-218192. -
Egyptian Silver Poppy Head Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
With bulb and disc finial, integral shank and gusseted suspension loop. 1.03 grams, 17 mm
From an early 20th century collection.
Amulets in the form of poppies were utilised for healing and alleviating pain, as well as for warding off death. These types of amulets were also linked to Osiris, the Egyptian deity of agriculture, death, and the afterlife.
