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LOT 0422
Very Large Egyptian Expedition Lithograph of the Hypogees Papyrus Manuscript from Thebes
EARLY 19TH CENTURY A.D.
41 1/4 x 27 1/4 in. (235 grams, 105 x 69.5 cm).
Proof etching on laid paper of plate 64 from Vol.II of 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 Thèbes. Hypogées. Manuscrit sur papyrus. 4eme partie.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a North American priest.
Acquired between 1981-1996.
Property of a North American collector.
Cf. reprint of the whole work in Various, 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, Köln, 1989, pp.238-239.
FootnotesProduced 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). The papyrus manuscript was recovered from an underground tomb chamber (hypogeum). This includes a scene (bottom right) depicting the weighing of the deceased's heart before Osiris's divine tribunal. The heart is balanced against the feather of Maat, and the ibis-headed Thoth records the verdict. If the heart fails to balance, it is devoured by a fearsome creature called Ammut, and the deceased would cease to exist.
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LOT 0422
Very Large Egyptian Expedition Lithograph of the Hypogees Papyrus Manuscript from Thebes
Estimate £80 - 100€93 - 116 (for guidance only)$108 - 135 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£40 (EUR 46; USD 54) +BP*
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Egyptian Faience Hieroglyphic Shabti
Late Period-Ptolemaic Period, 525-30 B.C.Estimate: £80 - 100 (+bp*)
Bids: 5 | Current Bid: £75
Slender in profile with tripartite wig and incised tools in the crossed hands, net to the left shoulder; dorsal pillar with impressed hieroglyphic legend. 23.6 grams, 89 mm
Ex Alexander Crawford Collection. From the collection of David Donlan (1947-2025), a dedicated and lifelong collector with a passion for the ancient world and the natural sciences, forming his collection from 1960s onwards, using many reputable dealers across the United Kingdom, including the well-regarded Coincraft and The Parthenon Gallery.
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Egyptian Silver Fly Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Estimate: £80 - 100 (+bp*)
Bids: 1 | Current Bid: £5
With detailing to the body and head, ribbed suspension loop above the head. 0.94 grams, 19 mm
Ex London, UK, gentleman, 1990s.
Fly amulets were believed to protect against insect bites and to ward off troublesome flying creatures through apotropaic magic. Some believe they may have even symbolised the fly’s fecundity. Additionally, pharaohs would bestow gold fly-shaped pendants as military awards to honour the bravery and persistence of soldiers in battle. -
Egyptian Bronze Seated Cat Statuette
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Estimate: £600 - 800 (+bp*)
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