Large Egyptian Blue Glazed Solar Bead

Modelled in the round as a characteristically mummiform standing figure with arms crossed and holding the crook and flail regalia, wearing the hedjet crown and uraeus. 136 grams, 13.5 cm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.

Osiris is a deity associated with death and fertility, widely acknowledged as the supreme god of rebirth. Although he was once a mortal ruler, as a deity, his domain was the Underworld. Abydos served as the primary cult site of Osiris’s worship, where a renowned annual celebration in his honour took place.

Housed in five linen-covered boxes, covering mummies, masks, scarabs, cylinders, shabtis, titulary, tablets, statuary, Saite artefacts, and Pre Dynastic pottery, stone vases etc. 3.9 kg total, 26.5 x 17 x 6.5 cm each box



Property of archaeologist Stephanie Gee, N.W. London, UK, 1960s-1980s.

Stephanie Gee was a prominent archaeologist who took part in several expeditions in Egypt. She was a trusted assistant to the British-Australian archaeologist Veronica Seton-Williams, who excavated in Egypt, Britain, and the Near East. Stephanie also took part in the Tell El-Farâ'în expeditions of 1965-1968, and assisted Seton-Williams with preparing the 1966 expedition report. Their collaboration continued and Stephanie helped with the manuscript of Seton-Williams’ book ‘The Road to El-Aguzein’, a narrative account of her life that was first published in 1988.

Comprising: band of vertically strung faience tubular beads with integral tie at each end; below, a fringe of vertically strung groups of eight similar beads on a loop of thread with annular beads at the junction with the band and more similar at the outer end of the fringe; ancient cord. 50 grams, 33.5 cm



Ex William Ohly, 1883-1955. Ex Abbey Museum, Barnet, by descent.