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LOT 0426
Phoenician Glass Bird Pendant
425-200 B.C.
3/4 in. (1.95 grams, 19 mm).
Hollow-formed amuletic pendant with applied trails to the body, applied eyes with white rims, suspension loop on the back.
ProvenanceEx collection of the late S.M., London, UK, 1970-1990s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0426
Phoenician Glass Bird Pendant
Estimate £150 - 200€170 - 230 (for guidance only)$200 - 270 (for guidance only)
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Egyptian Bronze Bastet Cat Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
Modelled in the round as a seated cat on an oblong base, large pointed ears with a notch behind them. 14 grams, 30 mm
Private collection, 1970s. Private collection, 2017. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
In ancient times, the cat was revered as the sacred animal of the goddess Bastet, who was worshipped in Bubastis, located in the Nile Delta. She was a protective mother goddess and the daughter of the sun god Re. Amulets provided the wearer with the goddess's protection. -
Egyptian Carnelian Fly Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Carved with simple body and eye detailing and polished; drilled through the eyes for suspension. 0.32 grams, 12 mm
Ex North London, UK, gallery, early 2000s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Egyptian artists often depicted fly whisks with pharaohs and officials, suggesting flies were just nuisances. In reality, Egyptians valued flies for their speed and persistence. Small fly amulets appeared around 3200 B.C. in Naqada II burials, gaining popularity and varying materials during the New Kingdom, including gold, silver, lapis lazuli, carnelian, amethyst, faience, and gemstones. These amulets were thought to protect against insect bites and troublesome creatures via apotropaic magic and possibly symbolised fecundity. Pharaohs awarded gold fly-shaped pendants to honour soldiers' bravery in battle. -
Egyptian Carnelian Necklace with Djed Pillar
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
Composed mainly of oblate and spherical beads, four poppy seed pendants, and a larger djed pillar pendant; restrung with a modern clasp. 12.68 grams, 43.5 cm
From an Israeli collection, formerly with the Archaeological Centre in Jaffa. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The djed pillar symbolises endurance and stability. Used as a funerary amulet since the Old Kingdom, it was first linked to Ptah and Sokar, later becoming associated with Osiris as his backbone. Chapter 155 of the Book of the Dead references it in the context of resurrection. Beads in the form of poppies were used to heal and alleviate pain and to ward off death. These types of amulets were also linked to Osiris, the Egyptian deity of agriculture, death, and the afterlife.
