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LOT 0429
Egyptian Terracotta Oil Lamp
PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, CIRCA 200-50 B.C.
3 5/8 in. (60 grams, 92 mm).
Rounded body with large filler hole and two pointed lugs on the shoulder, the rim with a low-relief ovolo decoration, elongated nozzle with a low-relief pillar motif; low basal ring.
Provenancewith Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Młynarczyk, J., Alexandrian and Alexandria-influenced mould-made lamps of the Hellenistic period, Bar International Series 677, Oxford, 1997, pp.54-57, Type G, fig. 67, for the type; a terracotta oil lamp of similar form and design dated to 150 B.C. belongs in the Emeritus Collection (no. EF24).
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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Egyptian Faience Duck Scaraboid with Hieroglyphs
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
Modelled as a resting duck with its neck curved around the upper body, feather detailing on the wings, tail, and body, and delicately formed head; the underside features a baboon in a posture of adoration before an obelisk, wearing a lunar disc and crescent headdress, with a neb sign below. 2.82 grams, 19 mm
From the property of a London, UK, gentleman, 1970-2000s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Baboons were observed worshipping the rising sun with raised arms, a behaviour that Egyptians interpreted as divine reverence. The scarab's imagery symbolises cosmic harmony and sacred wisdom, with the baboon (a manifestation of Thoth in his lunar aspect) showing reverence to an obelisk (a symbol of the solar god, Ra). Thus, it blends moon and sun symbolism, embodying balance, cyclical renewal, divine order, and the interplay between knowledge (Thoth) and power (Ra). The neb sign indicates lordship or possession over all the celestial forces. -
Egyptian Black Stone Head of a Female
Middle Kingdom, late 12th Dynasty, 1862-1787 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,235
Carved in the round head with almond-shaped eyes and copious hair, detailed ears; jawline, neck and cheeks abraded. 1.1 kg, 94 mm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The nearly spherical shape suggests that the head was repurposed as a pounder. -
Egyptian Turquoise Glazed Faience Amulet of Imsety
Late Period, circa 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
Flat-backed depiction of Imsety, one of the four sons of Horus, wearing a finely detailed tripartite wig, a broad collar, and holding a length of folded cloth. 3.66 grams, 36 mm
with Ancient World Arts, New York, USA. Private collection, London, UK, acquired from the above in 1994. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The Four Sons of Horus were deities responsible for protecting the deceased's internal organs. The human-headed Imsety protected the liver, the baboon-headed Hapy protected the lungs, the jackal-headed Duamutef protected the stomach, and the falcon-headed Qebehsenuef protected the intestines. Amulets depicting these deities were placed within the mummy wrappings.
