Egyptian Two-Handled Pottery Bowl

In natural wool in shades of light brown, yellow, green, blue, and red with S-twist yarn, depicting the figure of Pegasus within a central medallion, surrounded by geometric and vegetal motifs; borders ornamented with meanders. 1.3 grams, 10.5 cm



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

The tabula, or tablion, was a square embroidery used to decorate tunics or mantles. The central figure is a rare representation of the winged horse Pegasus, a motif derived from Greek mythology, showing that classical iconography was still alive among the Christian Graeco-Roman people.

Three fragments from three highly decorated blue-painted vessels. 545 grams total, 11.5-18 cm



Acquired in February 1978. From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s. Accompanied by an old handwritten information card by Peter Clayton, collection no.140.

The distinctive blue colour on these pottery fragments came from a cobalt-and-aluminium slip that reacted during firing.

Turquoise-glazed wedjat-eye, carved on one face; pierced longitudinally. 0.77 grams, 18 mm



Excavated from Egypt in 1914. From the private collection of Mr David Sams and his wife Elizabeth Kate Sams, gentry and amateur archaeologists who travelled to Egypt in 1914 with their daughter Ethel. Mr Sams and his wife led digging expeditions from which these items come, from the family estate of Mr and Mrs Sams, by direct descent to their granddaughter.

The wedjat-eye amulet depicts Horus’s healed eye, blending human and falcon features. Its ancient Egyptian name means ‘the one that is sound’. Myth says Seth wounded or took the eye, and Thoth later restored it. Believed to offer protection, healing, and regeneration, the popular amulet was worn by the living and the dead.