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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 Large Portion of Coptic Tunic
Circa 5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
The upper frontal part of a child's garment, decorated on both sides with purple wool and linen stripes (clavi), running vertically on both sides of the tunic, and ornamented with running animals (hares), the edges of each clavus with crenellated border; selvedged on the upper part of the tunic and with a fringed lower border. 750 grams, 70 x 79 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
Tunic decoration conformed to a specific layout with the back mirroring the front. Matching bands called clavi ran on either side of the neck. They could be full length, like in our specimen, or stop above the waistline. -
Egyptian Painted Wooden Mummy Mask
4th-3rd century B.C.Estimate: £5,000 - 7,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £2,500
Displaying semi-naturalistic detailing in relief, beneath a band of headdress ornament composed of rows of architectural dot-and-dash and zig-zag patterns over a segmental panel, possible hieroglyphs to the top tier; attachment pegs to the sides of the face and through the head; extensive remains of painted black pigmentation and composition fill to the eyes. 677 grams, 36 cm
From a French estate, acquired between 1960 and 1980. with SAS Cornette de Saint Cyr Auction, Paris, Vente 882, Mobilier et Objets d'art, 2 December 2014, lot 69. Accompanied by a copy of a French cultural passport no.167062. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Alberto Maria Pollastrini. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11807-206837. -
Egyptian Faience Bead Mummy Mask with Collar
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £500
Comprising a restrung panel of small glazed composition beads in various colours representing a mummy face mask with false beard and collar; framed and glazed. 556 grams, 27.5 x 28.5 cm
Ex collection of Mr & Ms François & Marion Reber - Burki, Rue des Beaux-Arts 10, Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Collected in the first part of 20th century by Mr F. Burki, father of Ms Marion Reber.