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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 Silver Cat Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £416
Seated figure of a cat with deeply set eyes and pointed ears set on a rectangular base with a rounded end; suspension loop on the back. 0.33 grams, 8 mm
From an early 20th century collection.
The cat was sacred to Bastet, a protective mother goddess and the daughter of the sun god Re. Amulets provided the wearer with the goddess's protection. -
Egyptian Hardstone Architectural Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
Carved haematite representation of a carpenter's or stonemason's set-square. 3.15 grams, 24 mm
with Hotel des Ventes, Drouot, Paris, France. From the collection of Mr H. Naudy, Paris, France. Acquired at between 2004-2010. Property of a French collector.
Amulets of the L-shaped carpenter's or stonemason's set-square, usually depicted as two rectangular strips of unequal lengths meeting at a right angle, were most frequently made of dark hard stones such as haematite, as this example. Set-square amulets were believed to bestow eternal moral uprightness upon their possessor. -
Egyptian Blue Glazed Faience Eye of Horus Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
Large wedjat-eye amulet with incised human and falcon elements. 11.7 grams, 38 mm
From the private collection of the late Mrs Belinda Ellison, a long time member of the Egyptian Exploration Society, c.1940-2020.
The wedjat-eye amulet is a representation of the healed eye of the god Horus, featuring both human and falcon elements. The name wedjat in ancient Egyptian means ‘the one that is sound.’ According to Egyptian mythology, Horus' eye was wounded or taken by the god Seth and restored by Thoth. The wedjat-eye amulet was thought to protect its wearer and bestow the power of recovery and regeneration onto them. It was very popular and used by both the living and the dead.
