Stone Age Flint Hand Axe

With a domed upper face and bevelled side edge; base inscribed over two lines or columns separated by three lines; pierced for suspension; chip to base. 1.9 grams, 15 mm



From an old French collection, formed in the 1980s-1990s. Property of a North London antiquary.

Also known as the tit, or knot of Isis; displaying simple detailing and a pierced pillar to the reverse. 3.63 grams, 39 mm



From an early 20th century collection, Caernarfon, North Wales, UK.

Sub-rectangular with keyhole-shaped aperture to the lower right edge; low-relief figure in profile wearing a tunic with circular neckline, bobbed hair swept behind the ears, sharp facial features with short goatee beard; bands of vertical fluting. 14.5 kg, 37.5 cm high



Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no. 11830-207550.

The features and hairstyle of the figure resemble closely those of Asiatic captives shown on the outer wall of the temple of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel, Egypt. It is likely that the Egyptian artists from the time of Thutmose III onwards had frequent opportunities to observe the foreigners who came, or were brought into Egypt. It is likely that the Egyptian artists were interested in differentiating the various peoples encountered by the armies on their campaigns northward during the New Kingdom. The remains of a circular aperture behind the figure probably indicates that the slab was re-used as a grindstone or a door pivot in ancient times.