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LOT 0043
Egypto-Roman Red Carnelian Soknopaios Gemstone in Gold Ring
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (5.23 grams, 23.98 mm overall, 18.87 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17)).
The 19th century ring with D-section hoop expanding at the shoulders; the oval intaglio engraved with a seated woman offering food or drink from a cup to a creature with the body of a crocodile and a falcon head; accompanied by a custom-made display case and impression.
ProvenanceAcquired in the 1980s.
with Christie's, Ancient Jewellery, 7 December 2006, lot 277.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.11779-204569.
Cf. Dosoo, K., Galoppin, T., ‘Animals in Graeco-Egyptian Magical Practice’ in Dosoo, K., Coulon, C., Magic Zōon, Animal and Magica from the Antiquity to the Middle Ages, Aubervilliers, 2022, pp.203-256; for images of Soknopaios see Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 30.8.307; the Walters Art Museum, accession no.22.347; for magical gems with an image of a falcon-headed crocodile, see the Bibliothèque nationale de France, Cabinet des Médailles, inventory no.CBd-3289.
FootnotesAn important creator god, Soknopaios is depicted here with the crocodile body of Sobek and the falcon head of Re. It has been suggested that the falcon head of Soknopaios alludes to association with the goddess Isis's son Horus. It can also depict an image of the so-called ‘nine shaped one’ (εννεάμορφος), a figure mentioned several times in the magical rituals written in Greek but with a strong Egyptian religious background. This deity is often understood as the bios (i.e. an incarnation) of the supreme god Amun-Re, often accompanied by a surrounding ouroboros serpent.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0043
Egypto-Roman Red Carnelian Soknopaios Gemstone in Gold Ring
Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,200
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Egyptian Silver Bastet Cat Goddess
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £400
Modelled seated on an oblong base; accompanied by a custom-made display base. 1.27 grams, 13 mm high (6.02 grams total, 33 mm including stand)
Ex Mrs Zimmermann Koutoulakis, December 1977. Ex R. Liechti (1934-2010) Geneva, Switzerland, collection between 1950-1990s. -
Egyptian Carnelian Papyrus Stalk Amulet
Late New Kingdom, 1550-1060 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
Polished and pierced for suspension. 2.01 grams, 28 mm
Acquired in Europe before 1993. -
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Egyptian Bronze Atef Crown Feather From a Life-Sized Statue
Late Period, circa 664-332 B.C.Estimate: £5,000 - 7,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £2,500
The ostrich feather with deep recessed cells, likely once inlaid, and a tapering mounting lug to one side; mounted on a custom-made display stand; remnants of gilding. 1.2 kg total, 33.5 cm high including stand
Seward Kennedy collection, acquired 1960s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11840-207822.
This large feather would have been attached to a wooden statue of Osiris. The Atef crown identified Osiris, god of the underworld, in Ancient Egyptian symbolism. The two ostrich feathers adorning the crown represent truth, justice, morality, equilibrium and the cult centre of Osiris in Abydos. The ostrich feather was also associated with Ma'at.
