Phoenician Terracotta Head Group

Comprising: an orbiculus in purple wool and coarse linen, S-torsion; a tabula in purple wool and coarse linen, on a brown linen background, S-torsion, embroidered with a central cross, the borders decorated with meanders; a broad segmentum in purple wool and coarse linen, on a brown linen background, S-torsion; a small orbiculus with vegetal ornaments. 11 grams total, 5.2-18.5 cm



Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.

The tabula, or tablion, was a square embroidery decorating tunics or mantles. The Christian elements, like the cross at the centre of our tabula, began to decorate garments from the 4th century onwards.

Proof etching on laid paper of plate 88 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 1. Vue du port neuf en mer du cote du nord. 2. Vue du port vieux prise en rade du cote du sud-ouest. 259 grams, 104.5 x 69 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).

With fine teeth cut on one side and coarser teeth on the other; some absent; mounted on a custom-made stand. 12.62 grams total, comb: 51 mm, 85 mm high including stand



Ex Carl Leonhard Burckhardt-Reinhard (1902-1965), formed since 1922, Egypt. Inherited by his son Christopher Burckhardt in 1966, Switzerland. Since then in the possession of his wife, Switzerland.

The type is attested in Egypt, where it is particularly well documented in the Coptic Period. The lack of decoration makes a more precise chronological classification difficult. As evidenced by a wooden comb of the same type from Antinoë, the fine-toothed side was also used for removing head lice. In the present example, the comb continued on one side for an indeterminate length.