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LOT 0014
Large Egyptian Bronze Statue of Khonsu
LATE PERIOD, 26TH DYNASTY, 664-525 B.C.
10 3/4 in. (896 grams total, 27 cm including stand).
Standing in advancing pose on a rectangular base; the god modelled with a disk representing the full-moon surmounting a crescent new moon atop his head and fronted by a uraeus, the falcon-head sports a finely striated tripartite wig and with beaded silver wire frames to the (once inlaid) eyes; wearing a broad wesekh collar; the left arm bent and fist drilled to grip a staff, right arm straight to the side with similar drilled fist; pleated shendyt kilt and belt to the hips; mounted on a tiered socle base.
ProvenanceSmith family collection, Cambridge, UK since 1949.
Private UK collection since 1978.
Accompanied by a scholarly note by Egyptologist Paul Whelan.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11033-183985.
Cf. for a near identical example from Memphis and now in the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, inventory no. 54.395.
FootnotesThe moon god Khonsu (whose name means 'wanderer', referring to the passage of the moon across the sky) is known as a blood-thirsty sky-deity in the Pyramid Texts. In New Kingdom Thebes, however, he was regarded as a far more benevolent deity, being the child of Amun and Mut, and provided with his own temple at Karnak. There, he was considered to control destiny. Khonsu can appear in human form with a side-lock of youth, wearing an enveloping garment, and holding royal regalia, and also as a falcon-headed man with the full moon and crescent new moon headdress, as with this fine example. In his falcon-headed form he frequently holds an ankh symbol and a was-sceptre, for which the hands of this piece were drilled to accept the god's well-known attributes.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Egyptian Limestone Relief Fragment Group
Late Period, 664-332 B.C. or earlierSold for (Inc. bp): £221
Some with detailing, one with male face to left with eye and ear remaining. 2.78 kg total, 8.1-24 cm
Fine condition.
Swiss collection prior to late 1990s. Private London collection since 1999. -
Egyptian Faience Amulet Group
New Kingdom, Amarna Period, 1353-1336 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Composed of polychrome amulets of various types, with suspension loops, including fruits and a feathered plume. 0.78 grams total, 3-13 mm
From an early 20th century collection, Surrey, UK. -
Framed Egyptian Cartonnage Panel with Hieroglyphic Inscription
Ptolemaic or Roman Period, after 305 B.C.Estimate: £8,000 - 10,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £4,444
Tongue-shaped decorative panel with segmented borders; above, funerary scene with the deceased's mummy on a leonine bier, flanked by the attending goddesses Isis and Nephthys; the deceased's Ba-bird hovering above the body; a central vertical band of semi-cursive hieroglyphic text flanked by six panels containing figures of the Four Sons of Horus and squatting knife-wielding guardians; mounted on board in a glazed frame. 2.17 kg total, 36.5 cm high
From a London, UK, collection. Exhibited in London in mid 2000s. Private gentleman's collection, J.L., Surrey, UK. Accompanied by a scholarly report by Egyptologist Paul Whelan. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11772-203499.
This cartonnage comes from a set of mummy trappings, usually consisting of four to six individual pieces that were sown on the front of a mummified and bandaged body. The element here is an apron positioned on the body below a mask and collar and above a foot cover or stylised 'sandals'. The central band of inscription calls upon Osiris and Anubis to ensure a good burial for the deceased.