Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0030
Egyptian Wooden Djed Pillar Amulet
SAITE PERIOD, 7TH-5TH CENTURY B.C.
6 3/4 in. (106 grams, 17 cm high).
Finely-made amuletic djed pillar; old collector's accession number 'E.436' to underside; mounted on a custom-made display stand.
Provenance
with ink inscribed 'E.436' to base.
Acquired in 1970.
Ex private European collection.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11602-199041.
Footnotes
The djed pillar symbolises stability and is usually understood to be the spine of the god Ptah although its origins are more probably in cult practices involving sheaves of reeds which were revered due to the general absence of trees from the Egyptian landscape. The djed later came to be symbolise Seker, the falcon god of Memphis and Ptah, the Memphite god of craftsmen, who carried a sceptre formed as a combination of the djed and the ankh. The cult of Ptah waned and gave way to that of Osiris so that by the New Kingdom (16th century B.C.), the djed had become associated with Osiris, part of whose cult included a ceremony for raising the djed representing Osiris's triumph over Seth.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine Auctions follows a rigorous 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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
LOT 0030
Egyptian Wooden Djed Pillar Amulet
Estimate £1,500 - 2,000€1,740 - 2,310 (for guidance only)$2,010 - 2,680 (for guidance only)
RELATED LOTS
-
Egyptian Green Faience Shabti with Hieroglyphic Inscription
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
Olive-green glazed composition with detailed facial features, hands, tools, seed bag, dorsal pillar; T-shaped hieroglyphic text: 'sḥḏ wsir nb pḥ.ty ..ns(?) mꜢʾ ḫrw ms n ipt-wrt(?)' ‘The illuminated, the Osiris, Lord of Strength ..ns(?), true of voice’ born to Ipet-weret(?)’; mounted on a custom-made stand. 169 grams total, 15 cm high including stand
Part of an old collection dating back to the 19th century. Ex property of a gentleman, acquired before the 1980s. Private collection of Mr T.H., Norfolk, UK. -
Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Hieroglyphs
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
With detailed legs and mouth, two cartouches to the underside with hieroglyphic texts. 7.64 grams, 25 mm
Ex North London, UK, gentleman, 1990s. -
Egyptian Faience Pataikos Amulet
Ptolemaic Period, 4th-3rd century B.C.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £500
Depicting the creator god in the form of the dwarf god Pataikos, modelled nude with stylised anatomical detailing, holding two knives to his stomach, squatting on an oval base; a scarab on the top of his cap; ribbed suspension loop to reverse; mounted on a custom-made display base. 29.6 grams total, 66 mm high including stand
Ex private French collection. with Thierry Maigret, Hotel Drouot, Paris, 12 July 2005, 76.
The Egyptian deity Pataikos is a special manifestation of the creator god Ptah, and the dwarf-like appearance symbolises his magical power. As a protective deity, amulets of Pataikos were worn for their apotropaic qualities; Pataikos was often depicted subjugating poisonous animals such as snakes and scorpions, and Pataikos amulets were probably worn to protect the wearer from such animals.
