Romano-Egyptian Mosaic Glass Fragment Group

Restrung group of tubular and fusiform faience beads with D-shaped pendant and two tiers of dangles beneath. 48 grams, 80 cm long



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.

A fitting or pommel made for King Ramesses II, his throne name (User-Maat-Re Setep-en-Re) inscribed within a cartouche topped by two ostrich feathers framing a solar disc; the cartouche positioned above the hieroglyphic sign nbw, which signifying 'gold' and alluded to the luminous radiance of the royal name; two uraei flanking the cartouche, wearing the White Crown of Upper Egypt and the Red Crown of Lower Egypt, respectively; the throne name roughly translating as 'The justice of Re is powerful, chosen of Re'; a square-shaped socket located at the back for attachment; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 475 grams total, 14 cm including stand



Formerly with G. Janes, Manchester, UK and collection Galerie Nefer. Previously with Cybele Galerie Librairie Egyptologie, Paris, France. From an important English collection. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Alberto Maria Pollastrini. Accompanied by a copy of the Cybele invoice. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.10740-177442.

The epithet part of the throne name Setep en Re appears in Ramesses II's royal titulary from Year 2 of his reign. The two rearing cobras, which symbolise the goddesses Nekhbet and Wadjet, also represent the unity of the Two Lands under Ramesses II's rule. A similar green faience fitting bearing Ramesses II's throne name is kept in the Archaeological Collection of Zürich (inv. no. 3702). Similar objects linked to the 18th Dynasty kings Akhenaten and Ay show that such fittings were not limited to the 19th Dynasty. They may even have influenced later designs, as the fitting of King Ay, possibly from a piece of heirloom furniture, was found among the tomb goods of Nefertari, Ramesses II’s “Chief Queen”.

A restrung netted beadwork panel of annular and tubular glazed composition beads in blues, greens, black, cream and red-brown colours, depicting a mummy face mask with false beard, a scarab with extended wings below, the 'Four Sons of Horus’ beneath the scarab, joined together with areas of open netting of tubular beads. 100 grams, 24 cm



Ex North London, UK, gallery. Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.

The Four Sons of Horus were deities responsible for protecting the deceased's internal organs. The human-headed Imsety protected the liver, the baboon-headed Hapy protected the lungs, the jackal-headed Duamutef protected the stomach, and the falcon-headed Qebehsenuef protected the intestines.