Egyptian Style Heart Scarab with Hieroglyphs

Olive-green with dorsal pillar, false beard and agricultural tools; vertical band of hieroglyphic text to the lower body and another to the dorsal pillar. 48 grams total, 11.4 cm including stand



Acquired in Egypt by Lieutenant James Alexander Goodman in the 1920s. Thence by descent to his grandson.

Lieutenant Goodman served in the 4th Battalion Welsh Regiment during World War I and saw action in Palestine during the capture of Bethlehem, (for which he won an MC). After the war, he setup a business selling Fordson trucks and tractors in Alexandria, Egypt. A keen antiquarian, he collected ancient objects during his time in Alexandria and when he visited the pyramids at Giza. After his first marriage failed, he returned to the UK in the early 1930s. On his death in 1959 he passed his small collection of Egyptian objects on to his second wife, Ruby Goodman. On Ruby’s death in 1994, they were left to their second daughter, Rosemary Johnson, (née Goodman), and are currently in the possession of her son.

Pendant formed as a fly with domed eyes. 1.13 grams, 16 mm



From an early 20th century collection.

Considering Egyptian artists often depicted fly whisks in the hands of pharaohs and high officials, one might assume that flies were simply a nuisance. However, the Egyptians held flies in high regard due to their quick speed, reactions, and persistence. Small fly amulets were made from various materials, including gold, silver, lapis lazuli, carnelian, amethyst, faience, and bone. They were believed to protect against insect bites and ward off flying creatures through apotropaic magic. Additionally, the pharaoh would give gold fly-shaped pendants as military awards to recognise the bravery and persistence of soldiers in battle.

Restrung beadwork panel of exceptional colour depicting a mummy face mask with false beard; restrung with some later beads. 17.3 grams, 89 mm



Ex Mariaud de Serres, Paris, France, 1980-1990s. From a London, UK, collection.