Loading, please wait...
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.
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:
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 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)
-
Egypto-Phoenician Stone Scaraboid Group
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
One with incuse bird, chevron and other motifs to the underside, the other in mottled hardstone. 4.69 grams total, 13-18 mm
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. -
Egyptian Millefiori Glass Bead Group
Roman Period, 30 B.C.-323 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Three spherical glass beads decorated with geometric millefiori patterns. 10 grams total, 12-15 mm
Collected from 1969-1999. From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK. -
Egyptian Limestone Male Head Fragment
Old Kingdom, 4th-early 5th Dynasty, circa 2640-2480 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,380
Wearing a short wig, the eyes with incised cosmetic lines; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 4.58 kg total, 26.5 cm including stand
with Sotheby's, London, 5 July 1982, no.190. with Sotheby's, London, 13-14 December 1990, no.18. Acquired from the above sale by the late Robert Browne. Property of Ms L.F., London, UK. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00243674. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12073-217362.
