Rock Crystal Cat Amulet Set

Carved from mottled stone wedjat with raised eyebrow, sclera, teardrop and markings, ribbed suspension loop above. 15 grams, 48 mm



Old French collection. UK private collection, acquired from the above in the 2000s.

Depicted lying on a riverbed, leaning on his right side, his aged face framed by a rich, flowing beard, his wavy hair held back by a taenia; his body, naked and corpulent, is covered only by a light cloak wrapping his legs; his left hand is stretched forward, his right hand resting on a vase pouring water from the river; the figure stands out against a smooth, semicircular cut wall; mounted on an old collection marble base. 13 kg, 44.5 cm wide

With evidence of break along outer edges suggesting the fragment was once part of a larger composition or fountain. Areas of old glue remnants to the broken edge. The marble is stable, with age staining to the entire surface; minor chips throughout but generally in very good condition.

Previously in an old European collection, probably from the 18th/19th century, based on the old collection marble base and mounting technique. Private collection, France. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no. 13239-251810.

The representations of river or sea divinities usually depicted them in the same position, with naked torso wrapped only in a wide cloak, and usually bearded. The sculpture bears similarities with the sculpture of a river divinity, in the Archaeological Museum of Napoli (inv. 5977), from Rome and belonging to the Farnese Collection, from the second half of the 2nd century A.D.

Card slipcase with printed engraving of an urn amid rustic ruins with legend 'Vedute di Roma disegnate ed incise da Giambattista Piranesi Architetto Vi Iano'; card-mounted prints comprising: church tower and square 'Roma La Chiesa di Santi Giovanni e Paolo / Disignato di Antonio Carbonati'and with handwritten dedication above 'To Mr. John Alexis Alexander With my best wishes, Rome 16.xii.1952 S[alvatore] Rebecchini, Mayor of Rome'; Trevi fountain with legend 'Veduta della Fontana di Trevi anticamente detta l'Acqua Veraine'; section of wall and tower with legend 'Veduta del lato posteriore del Mauseleo di Cecilia Metella....'; Colosseum with legend 'Veduta dell' Amfiteatro Flavio detto il Colosseo....'; prospect of the Vatican and foreground with egend 'Veduta dell'insigne Basilica Vaticana coll'ampio Portico e Piazza Adjacente...'; view of the fountain and monument in the Piaza navona with legend 'Veduta di Piazza navonasopre le rovine del Circo Aganate'; ruined temple with legend 'Veduta del Tempio detto della Concordia'; Arch of Constantine with legend 'Veduta dell'Arco di Costantino'; interior of St.Peter's basilca with legend 'Veduta interna della Basilica di S.Petro in Vaticano'; church of Santa maria with legend 'Veduta della Facciata di dietro della Basilica di S. Maria Maggiore'; bridge and castle with legend 'Veduta del Ponte e Castello Sant'Angelo'. 710 grams total, 49.5 x 35 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Harwich, UK, collector.