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LOT 2117
Grand Tour Steatite Scarab with Hieroglyphics
19TH-20TH CENTURY A.D.
3 1/2 in. (256 grams, 89 mm).
Anatomical detailing to the carapace, head and legs, underside with nine lines of hieroglyphic text, replicating the royal scarab of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III (ca. 1390–1352 B.C.), commemorating a lion hunt. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom a private, UK, collection in the 1980s.
Property of a London, UK, antiquarian.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Cf. Kozloff, A.P., Bryan, B., and Berman, L.M., Egypt's Dazzling Sun: Amenhotep III and his World, Cleveland, 1992, p. 69, no.2, for a discussion of an original scarab of this type.
FootnotesThis is a replica of one of several commemorative scarabs issued by Pharaoh Amenhotep III to celebrate various events. The text reads: May he live, the Horus, Mighty Bull Who Appears in Maat; the Two Ladies, Establisher of the Laws and Pacifier of the Two Lands, the Horus of Gold, Great of Strength Who Smites the Asiatics; the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Nebmaatre; the Son of Re, Amenhotep Ruler of Thebes, endowed with life; and the King’s Great Wife Tiye, may she live! The number of lions (hunted) from regnal year 1 down to regnal year 10, lions 102.
In 2019, an original lion hunt scarab was sold at Christie's in New York for $106,250!
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Russian Icon with Mother of God and Christ
Early 19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
Representing the Hodegetria, with Mary indicating towards Jesus with her right hand, holding him with her left hand; on the right, a small image of Saint Tekla with veiled head and a long tunica talaris, holding a holy book; the cover set with pearls and semi-precious stones; dedicatory inscription plate in Cyrillic; inscriptions in Greek on the wooden background 'ΜΡ ΘΥ' for 'Mother of God', 'IC XC' for 'Jesus Christ'; over the small image of Saint Tekla Greek inscription 'Ο AΓIA TEKLA'; tempera on wood. 650 grams, 23 x 19.5 cm
Property of a London, UK, gentleman collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The icon, probably Greek in origin and later covered with beat work in Russia, shows the Virgin in the attitude of Mother of Consolation, or in that of Hodegetria. This is the iconographical type of Virgin Mary one encounters most frequently in an Eastern Orthodox church or home, Hodegetria meaning 'Mother of God Pointing the Way'. The Virgin Mary is shown with the Christ on her lap, her eyes looking at the viewer and her right hand indicating Christ, seeming to say 'Follow Him'. Later icons of the Hodegetria were adorned with gilt-silver covers and jewels like this one. -
Georgian Bronze Toy Cannon Mould
Late 17th-early 18th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
An extremely rare mould half for producing toy cannons, D-section with a concave centre to receive the molten metal, side channels for trunnions and deep grooves to the main body for decoration; a long projecting 'handle' to base. 143 grams, 10.9 cm
Found Aughton, West Lancashire, UK, in 2015. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.LVPL-3C5611. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Published by PAS as '1 of the top 50' finds in the North West a couple of years ago. According to PAS this is a 'find of note' and has been designated regional importance. -
Western Asiatic Style Terracotta Figure Group
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
Mixed group including male with applied columnar headdress and belt. 200 grams total, 10.7-14.4 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
