Large Egyptian Revival Painted Stone Statue

A substantial decorative designer figurine of Horus in falcon-form perched on a rectangular base, wearing the deshret crown; after the antique, repaired. 18.1 kg, 51 cm



From a French collection, Paris. Ex Parisian gallery, France; latterly with a London, UK, gallery.

Broadly rectangular in cross-section and constructed from two sheets of gold; the external hoop carrying an etched decorative design comprised of a row of eight-armed stars in relief with a prominent horizontal line connecting the stars; the internal hoop with Latin inscription in block capitals reading '+FORTES FORTVNA IVVAT' translating to 'fortune favours the brave/strong'; straightened. 1.45 grams, 18.86 mm overall, 16.70 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L 1/2, USA 5 3/4, Europe 11.24, Japan 10)



Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Wingham, near Dover, Kent, UK, on Sunday 8th August 2021. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report for Oxfordshire under reference no.KENT-8F86BC. Accompanied by a copy of the report on find of potential Treasure for H M Coroner with reference no.2021T985. Accompanied by a copy of the letter from HM Senior Coroner for Oxfordshire disclaiming the Crown's interest in the find.

The inscription is a Latin proverb used in the play Phormio by Terence in 151 B.C. It is possible that the inscription was intended as a devotion of loyalty and symbol of pride, instead of being given as a symbol of fidelity.

Comprising three ancient Egyptian style artefacts after the antique: a copper-alloy sphinx statuette; a stone lion statuette; a cartonnage fragment with textile to the outer face and printed friezes applied to the interior. 970 grams total, 11-14.5 cm



Acquired from a private UK collection in the late 1990s. Private collection of Mr T.H., Norfolk, UK.