Egyptian Zoomorphic Stone Scaraboid with Animal Heads and Hieroglyphs

Carved in the round depicting a male carrying a rectangular shrine intended to hold a figure of a goddess; arms and upper chest bare, strap to the chest to support an apron, dorsal pillar to the reverse; accompanied by a custom-made stand. 5.2 kg total, 25 cm high including stand



From the collection of Danish furniture designer Ole Wanscher (1903-1985). Ole Wanscher was a leading figure of the Scandinavian Design movement. Wanscher was inspired by ancient designs, and one of his most famous creations, the 'Egyptian Stool', was based on folding chairs from Egypt's New Kingdom. This piece is visible in the background of a photo of Wanscher in his office, circa 1960. Accompanied by an academic report by Egyptologist Paul Whelan. Accompanied by a copy of the photo of Wanscher in his office, circa 1960. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11843-207728.

Naophorous statues first appear in the New Kingdom, though standing figures with shrines were most popular during the Late and Ptolemaic Periods. Such statues were set up in temples as revealed by the discoveries made between 1895 and 1917 in the Amun temple precincts at Karnak, where thousands of statues, including naopharoi, were recovered from caches.

The fragment of a vertical band (clavus) from a tunic (probably an ecclesiastic garment), woven in linen and wool, the central segment embroidered with polygonal patterns and arabesques, with four crosses inscribed in rhomboids, alternating with floral motifs, edged with two plain bands in dark green and medium brown, probably part of the original garment to which the band was applied. 185 grams, 58 x 27 cm



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

Yellow wool and linen. In this period, when Egypt passed from Roman to Arabian rule, the garments were still conspicuously decorated with stylised foliage, arabesques and meanders, geometric figures, often made in yellow or white wool over a linen background.

Decorated with a variety of coloured glazes and including a broad range of bead types. 71 grams total, 1-17 mm



UK gallery, early 2000s.