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LOT 0012
Egyptian Wooden Sarcophagus with Falcon Mummy
LATE PERIOD-PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 664-31 B.C.
19 1/2 in. (2.3 kg, 49.5 cm).
Two-part wooden (sycamore?) falcon-headed mummiform coffin carved from a single piece of wood, with a tripartite wig and human ears, painted detailing to the eyes, and broad decorative collar; the whole covered with black paint with traces of yellow decoration and inscriptions; inside a mummified falcon wrapped in linen strips.
ProvenanceEx R. Liechti (1934-2010) Geneva, Switzerland, formed between 1950-1990s.
Accompanied by a copy of an old collection inventory note.
Accompanied by an academic report by Egyptologist Paul Whelan.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12074-218220.
Cf. Raven, M.J., ‘Corn Mummies’, Oudheidkundige Mededelingen uit het Rijksmuseum van Oudheden te Leiden 63 (1982), pl. 4A, for a comparable black-painted falcon-headed coffin with yellow decoration.
FootnotesThis falcon-headed coffin once contained a so-called 'corn mummy' - a mummiform effigy impregnated with grain, which germinated. Such 'corn mummies' were associated with Osirian regeneration, fertility, and rebirth concepts. The falcon-headed coffin was associated with the powerful funerary deity Sokar-Osiris or Ptah-Sokar-Osiris. It seems that the original contents of this coffin were either lost or discarded and replaced with a mummified bird (falcon?). Interestingly, the most significant number of falcon-headed coffins come from Tuna el-Gebel, the site of an extensive animal mummy necropolis.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0012
Egyptian Wooden Sarcophagus with Falcon Mummy
Estimate £8,000 - 10,000€9,280 - 11,600 (for guidance only)$10,800 - 13,500 (for guidance only)
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Egyptian Bronze Ring with Bust
Ptolemaic Period, 332-30 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
With discoid bezel with incuse profile facing left. 7.03 grams, 23.09 mm overall, 17.15 mm internal diameter (approximate size British G 1/2, USA 3 1/2, Europe 5.55, Japan 5)
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Egyptian Faience Amulet of Nut
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
Amulet of a sow representing the goddess Nut; suspension loop on top. 2.63 grams, 24 mm
From the Florence Rosetti collection, UK, circa 1950s. Property of a Cambridgeshire, UK, gentleman.
This miniature sow pendant features a loop at the top and was worn as an amulet. The sow is often associated with the sky goddess Nut, who was believed to give birth to the stars every night, and then consume them at dawn. Despite the sow's reputation for devouring its offspring, Nut, in this form, was revered as a nurturing and safeguarding deity. A sow-shaped amulet was likely intended to offer protection to its wearer. -
Egyptian Faience Mummy Bead Necklace
Late New Kingdom, 1295-1069 B.C.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
Restrung designer necklace using tubular green-glazed beads in a double row, interspersed with small two-holed beads; the central feature a net-like composition of small brown and blue-glazed ring-shaped beads. 9.54 grams, 46 cm long
By repute, 'Excavated at Gurob by Prof. Flinders Petrie. From a quantity of beadwork taken from the neck of a mummy'. Ex 1920s UK collection.
