Large Egyptian Steatite Scarab with Hieroglyphs

Modelled in the round on a sledge attached by ventral and pectoral fins, a forked tail, a dorsal ridge, and a tapering nose, featuring recessed circular eyes filled with enamel, a horned sun disc headdress fronted by a uraeus, and a suspension loop behind; a few hieroglyphs of a dedication remain visible on the underside of the sledge, which may be interpreted as ‘….the great give life (to)…’ (…t wr rdi͗ Ꜥnḫ t….); presumably, 'the great' followed the name of a deity, now lost. 585 grams, 17 cm



Acquired from Gallery Reiner, Paris, France, 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.

The 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.

Piriform vessel with flared foot and wide rim, discoid lid with raised central panel to verso. 355 grams, 65 mm



Ex Galerie Nefer, Zurich, Switzerland. with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland.

Composite animal figure with a hippopotamus's head and body, a crocodile's tail, and a human torso with arms, topped with a finely striated tripartite wig; the right hand, positioned beneath the left nipple, encloses a drilled hole connecting to the hollow body; a hole at the top of the head; mounted on a custom-made stand. 160 grams total, 17.3 cm including stand



Ex private French collection, since the early 1990s. Acquired from Galerie Reiner, rue Bonaparte, Paris. Artcurial, Paris, 6 November 2013, no.55. Accompanied by an academic report by Egyptologist Paul Whelan. Accompanied by a copy of French passport no.150578. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13189-249212.

The vessel’s shape indicates it was likely used in magical and libationary rituals meant to invoke Taweret’s protective powers during childbirth and maternity. Usually depicted as a female hippopotamus with lion-like arms and legs and a crocodile’s back and tail, Taweret remains one of the most distinctive and recognisable deities in the Egyptian pantheon. Her name comes from the Egyptian word for "great" or "large" (tꜣwꜣrt), emphasising her powerful and protective nature.