Egyptian Turquoise Faience Bead Necklace

Sub-rectangular with keyhole-shaped aperture to the lower right edge; low-relief figure in profile wearing a tunic with circular neckline, bobbed hair swept behind the ears, sharp facial features with short goatee beard; bands of vertical fluting. 14.5 kg, 37.5 cm high



Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no. 11830-207550.

The features and hairstyle of the figure resemble closely those of Asiatic captives shown on the outer wall of the temple of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel, Egypt. It is likely that the Egyptian artists from the time of Thutmose III onwards had frequent opportunities to observe the foreigners who came, or were brought into Egypt. It is likely that the Egyptian artists were interested in differentiating the various peoples encountered by the armies on their campaigns northward during the New Kingdom. The remains of a circular aperture behind the figure probably indicates that the slab was re-used as a grindstone or a door pivot in ancient times.

The scarab carved with simple anatomical detailing with two columns of hieroglyphs to base, including a djed pillar; set in a later gold swivel bezel with beaded edge supported by a tapering, round-section grooved hoop. 2.91 grams, 24.16 mm overall, 21.04 mm internal diameter



Collected from 1970-1999. From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK. Accompanied by a previous catalogue information card.

The djed pillar was associated with the god Ptah, and from the New Kingdom onwards it was associated with the god Osiris, meaning stability, rejuvenation and regeneration. Thus it was used by both the living and the dead, formed of a variety of materials.

With globular body, short neck and thin, wide rim; part of the rim restored. 310 grams, 98 mm



Ex Waltz collection, Munich, Germany, circa 1970s. with Gorny & Mosch, Auction 206, no.12. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Gorny & Mosch catalogue pages.

Such vessels have been found at numerous sites including Naga ed-Deir, Saqqara, and Badari.