Egypto-Phoenician Stone Scaraboid Group

Group of discoid inlay plaques or gaming counters, crinoids with cinquefoil motif. 36 grams total, 11-18 mm



From a central London ADA dealership, 1980-1990.

Modelled in the round on a sledge attached by ventral and pectoral fins, forked tail, dorsal ridge, tapering nose; recessed circular eyes with enamel fill; horned sun disc headdress fronted by a uraeus and a suspension loop behind. 585 grams, 17 cm



Acquired from Gallery Reiner, Paris, 1981. Private collection, Europe. Accompanied by a copy of French passport no.150583 dated 29 November 2013. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12375-226676.

The Medjed, a type of elephant-snout fish (Mormyrus kannume), was revered in ancient Egyptian religion, particularly in Per-Medjed, better known by its Greek name, Oxyrhynchus Polis. This version of the name, meaning "city of the sharp-nosed," reflects the fish's distinctive appearance as depicted in Egyptian art. These fish were believed to have consumed the penis of Osiris, the god who was dismembered and scattered by his brother Seth. As sacred creatures, figurines of the Medjed were often adorned with a horned sun-disc headdress worn by the goddesses Hathor and Isis, suggesting a close association with both. Some figurines, like this example, featured suspension loops, allowing them to be worn as pendant amulets.

Restrung using turquoise tubular beads interspersed with annular beads of various colours and graduated polychrome petal-shaped beads, some with a loop at each end. 9.19 grams, 52 cm long



From an early 20th century UK collection. Accompanied by a previous typed cataloguing card.