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LOT 0526
Large Egyptian Expedition Lithograph of Reliefs at Esna
EARLY 19TH CENTURY A.D.
41 3/4 x 13 3/4 in. (106 grams, 106 x 35 cm).
Proof etching on laid paper of plate 79 from Description De L'Égypte : Ou, Recueil Des Observations Et Des Recherches Qui Ont Été Faites En Égypte Pendant L'expédition De L'Armée Française. Seconde Edition. Dediee Au Roi, entitled Esné (Latopolis). Zodiaque Sculpté Au Plafond Du Portique. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a North American priest.
Acquired between 1981-1996.
Property of a North American collector.
Produced between February 1802 and 1830 on the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte; published between 1809 and 1828. Just 1,000 copies were distributed to various institutions, printed on laid paper with an 'Égypte ancienne et moderne' watermark. The book is subtitled Recueil des observations et des recherches qui ont été faites en Égypte pendant l’expédition de l’Armée française, publié par les ordres de Sa Majesté l’Empereur Napoléon le Grand (Gathering of observations and discoveries which were made in Egypt during the expedition of the French army, published on the orders of His Majesty the Emperor Napoleon the Great). It was the world's first encyclopedia devoted exclusively to the remains of ancient Egypt. The plates of this book are the first to present the archaeological sites of Thebes (Luxor). The Temple of Khnum at Esna, visible today, is mostly of Ptolemaic and Roman date. The decorative zodiac dates to the reign of Ptolemy III.
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 Coptic Textile Fragment Group
Circa 4th-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Comprising: a fragment of a clavus in coarse linen and dark brown wool, tapestry, with remains of a medallion embroidered with a lion running right; fragment of an orbiculus in linen and yellow and blue wool, S torsion, embroidered with vegetal and geometric patterns; two terminal fragments of a clavi, in red, green, dark blue and white wool. 58 grams total including package, 8.6-19.5 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
These are decorative parts of tunics. The lion orbiculus in particular stands out for its delicate design and hunting theme. Dionysus and his entourage were often depicted on these tunics, despite the fact that these fabrics were produced in a by then heavily Christianised empire. -
Very Large Egyptian Expedition Lithograph of a View of Alexandria
Early 19th century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Proof etching on laid paper of plate 98 from Description de l'Égypte : ou, Recueil des observations et des recherches qui ont été faites en Égypte pendant l'expédition de l'armée française. entitled Vue de l'Esplanade ou Grande Place du port neuf et de l'Enceinte des Arabes, Seconde partie. 233 grams, 105 x 66.5 cm
From the collection of a North American priest. Acquired between 1981-1996. Property of a North American collector.
Produced between February 1802 and 1830 on the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte; published between 1809 and 1828. Just 1,000 copies were distributed to various institutions, printed on laid paper with an 'Égypte ancienne et moderne' watermark. The book is subtitled Recueil des observations et des recherches qui ont été faites en Égypte pendant l’expédition de l’Armée française, publié par les ordres de Sa Majesté l’Empereur Napoléon le Grand (Gathering of observations and discoveries which were made in Egypt during the expedition of the French army, published on the orders of His Majesty the Emperor Napoleon the Great). It was the world's first encyclopedia devoted exclusively to the remains of ancient Egypt. The plates of this book are the first to present the archaeological sites of Thebes (Luxor). -
Egyptian Limestone Offering Table for Iny
Late Old Kingdom-First Intermediate Period, circa 2400-2040 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £11,700
Rectangular table with the upper part carved in high relief in the shape of a bread loaf on a mat representing the hieroglyphic sign for "offering" (ḥtp), with two rectangular recesses for libations, and extensive hieroglyphic inscriptions displaying offering formulae along with the titles and name of the deceased: "an offering that the king gives and Anubis, the one upon his mountain, a voice offering of bread and beer for the sole companion, god’s sealer, the revered one before the god, lord of the sky/heaven, In[y]". 14.75 kg, 45.5 cm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Private collection, Switzerland. with a North American collector. London collection, 2016. Accompanied by an academic 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.13001-244462.
Offering tables played a significant role in ritualistic activity within tombs. Their origins may be traced back to the simple act of placing a loaf of bread on a reed mat during Predynastic burials, which gradually evolved into a more formalised and durable expression in stone. The distinctive form also became a hieroglyph, used in words meaning “to be satisfied,” “to be satiated,” and similar expressions, reflecting appropriate sentiments for food and drink offerings.
