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LOT 0044
Large Egyptian Bronze Oxyrhynchus Fish of Per-Medjed
LATE PERIOD-PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 664-30 B.C.
6 3/4 in. (585 grams, 17 cm).
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.
ProvenanceAcquired 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.
Cf. Kozloff, A.P., Animals in Ancient Art from the Leo Mildenberg Collection, Mainz am Rhein, 1981, fig. 60, for a similar example; Tiribilli, E., The bronze figurines of the Petrie Museum from 2000 BC to AD 400, London, 2018, p.229, for discussion.
FootnotesThe 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.
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LOT 0044
Large Egyptian Bronze Oxyrhynchus Fish of Per-Medjed
Estimate £6,000 - 8,000€6,960 - 9,280 (for guidance only)$8,100 - 10,800 (for guidance only)
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Egyptian Pale Green Faience Shabti
Ptolemaic Period, 332-30 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Mummiform figure with dorsal pillar, hands folded across the chest holding a pick and flail, with seed bag over left shoulder. 29.8 grams, 90 mm
Acquired 1950s-1960s. From the estate of a deceased Norfolk, UK, gentleman. Accompanied by a dealer's information display card. -
Egyptian Framed Coptic Fabric Collection
Circa 5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
Three fragments of tabby-weave linen fabric, two with embroidered ornament, one with a woven polychrome border; mounted in a glazed wooden frame with gilt inner border. 578 grams total, fragments: 6.5-15.5 cm (frame: 26 x 31 cm)
From the private collection of H. Norry, 1980s-1990s. -
Egyptian Bronze Statue of a Kneeling Priest
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Estimate: £250 - 350 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £139
Kneeling on a rectangular platform with a wide apron covering his thighs, clean-shaven head and hands raised in adoration; tang on the underside for attachment; mounted on a display stand. 41 grams total, statue: 30 mm high
From an early 20th century Home Counties, UK, collection.
Priest figurines like this were commonly placed before a larger figurine of a deity, both attached to a base, e.g., Schulz, R., Seidel, M., Egyptian Art. The Walters Art Museum, London, 2009, for a kneeling priest before a standing figure of Anubis.
