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LOT 0053
Romano-Egyptian Limestone Stele of a Nobleman Holding an Offering to the Gods
3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D.
32 1/4 in. (50 kg, 81.5 cm).
Modelled in the half-round as a man standing on an integral plinth, round face with short curly hair, wide eyes, a slender nose and a small mouth; wearing a Greek himation wrapped around his body and feet enclosed in Romano-Egyptian sandals; the left arm lowered and holding a cluster of grapes; his right arm bent at the elbow and holding a roll; remains of red and dark brown pigment on the face and clothing.
ProvenanceProperty of a Surrey lady; acquired by her father Christopher Terry circa 1980.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12603-233353.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Ashour, S., ‘Unpublished Group of Bahnasa Reliefs’ in Archaeological & Historical Studies 13, Alexandria, 2010, pp.65-106, figs.5, 7, for similar stele.
FootnotesLimestone niches with polychrome representations of the deceased were common in Roman Egypt, and lasted until the time of the Arab conquest. The man depicted on this stele certainly belonged to the high contemporary nobility as is evidenced by his well-pleated clothing, which identifies him as a member of local Graeco-Roman aristocracy.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0053
Romano-Egyptian Limestone Stele of a Nobleman Holding an Offering to the Gods
Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,640
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Egyptian Limestone Floral Inlay Group
Roman Period, 30 B.C.-323 A.D. or earlierSold for (Inc. bp): £59
Group of discoid inlay plaques or gaming counters, crinoids with cinquefoil motif; some fragmentary. 49 grams total, 6-17 mm
From a central London ADA dealership, 1980-1990. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Flowers were symbolic of rebirth due to the daily reopening of their petals after nightfall. As a result, they were widely used in domestic settings, religious and funerary contexts, and as adornments. Similar rosette discs, like those recovered from the Ramesside Period palace at Qantir, were used as decorative elements in royal palaces. -
Historic Collection of 772 Slides of Archaeological Sites in Egypt
1960s-1980s A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,300
Housed in five linen-covered boxes, covering Saqqara, Step Pyramids, The Serapeum, Giza, Karnak, Tombs of the Nobles, Deir-el Medina Tombs, Ummuh Bured Tombs, Denderah and Edfu, etc. 4.17 kg total, 26.5 x 16.5 x 6.5 cm each box
Property of archaeologist Stephanie Gee, N.W. London, UK, 1960s-1980s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Stephanie Gee was a prominent archaeologist who took part in several expeditions in Egypt. She was a trusted assistant to the British-Australian archaeologist Veronica Seton-Williams, who excavated in Egypt, Britain, and the Near East. Stephanie also took part in the Tell El-Farâ'în expeditions of 1965-1968, and assisted Seton-Williams with preparing the 1966 expedition report. Their collaboration continued and Stephanie helped with the manuscript of Seton-Williams’ book ‘The Road to El-Aguzein’, a narrative account of her life that was first published in 1988. -
Egyptian Heart Scarab Group
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Estimate: £180 - 240 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £90
Comprising two scarabs with striated wing cases and ribbed underside. 7.5 grams total, 18-20 mm
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The scarab amulet was a powerful symbol of rebirth, transformation, and protection in ancient Egypt. Modelled after the beetle linked to the sun god Khepri, it represented the cycle of life and regeneration. Used from the Middle Kingdom (c. 2050 BCE) onwards, scarabs served as funerary amulets, personal charms, and seals—often inscribed with prayers or names—reflecting both spiritual beliefs and daily life.
