Large Egyptian Stone Hieroglyphic Scarab with Cartouche of Amenhotep III

Carved with simple body and eye detailing and polished; drilled through the eyes for suspension. 0.41 grams, 13 mm



From an early 20th century collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Small fly amulets first appeared in burials during the Naqada II Period, c. 3200 B.C. These amulets grew in popularity and the materials used to make them expanded during the New Kingdom. They are crafted from a variety of materials such as gold, silver, lapis lazuli, carnelian, amethyst, faience, and bone. These amulets were thought to protect against insect bites and to ward off troublesome flying creatures through apotropaic magic. Some believe they may have even been intended to symbolise the fly’s fecundity. Additionally, pharaohs would bestow gold fly-shaped pendants as military awards to honour the bravery and fly-like persistence of soldiers in battle.

A composition necklace composed of multiple strands of polychrome beads of mainly annular and tubular types. 28 grams total, 82 cm long



Acquired before 1979. From the private collection of Mr F. A., South Kensington, London, UK; thence by descent 2014. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Red and yellow faience were among the new colours appeared in the 18th Dynasty, but they were in use until the Late Period. It was ideally formed from a core of sand and quartz and a vitreous alkaline glaze. It was the preferred medium of Egyptian jewellers even before the First Dynasty, because of its malleability and its ability to imitate other more expensive materials thanks to the colour of the glaze.

Comprising annular and cylindrical beads in various colours, interspersed with four lotus-flower pendants. 24.2 grams, 104 cm



P.S., Netherlands, 1985. Ex Sands of Time U.S.A. with Treasuregate Gallery, 11 June 2015, Netherlands. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00105718. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

The most common type of collars based on pendants found at various localities, was mainly composed of pendants imitating plant forms. The terminals of surviving collars of this design are usually triangular, representing lotus flowers, or rectangular, decorated with plant designs or spirals.