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LOT 2198
Victorian 'Freaks Fair' Model of a Shrunken Head
19TH CENTURY A.D.
8 in. (810 grams total, 20.5 cm including stand).
A tribal head modelled from leather with applied hair, moustache, eyebrows and eyelashes; pierced through the lips and ears; set in a later glass dome with base. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired Mellors & Kirk, circa 2019.
Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The freak show was the archetypal expression of popular culture, enjoyed by everyone regardless of their class. The freak show was presented to the public as entertaining and educational, offering the opportunity to learn about anatomy and the ‘realities’ of people from foreign lands. The real 'shrunken heads' known as tsantsas were severed human heads that were used by tribal cultures as war trophies or for ceremonial purposes. They were also used to scare off an enemy, using the heads as a threat, or also in religious rituals.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Post Medieval Gilt Hair Pin Group
Circa 18th-19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
Comprising: pin with hollow-formed stepped bulb; pin with canatille rosette; pin with canatille spray of leaves and flowers with granule detailing. 33 grams total, 8.7-12.3 cm
Acquired Brigantia Antiques, York, UK, circa 2006. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Grand Tour Steatite Scarab with Hieroglyphics
19th-20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
Anatomical detailing to the carapace, head and legs, underside with twelve lines of hieroglyphic text, replicating the royal scarab of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III (ca. 1390–1352 B.C.), commemorating the construction of an artificial lake for his principal wife, Tiye. 326 grams, 98 mm
From a private, UK, collection in the 1980s. Property of a London, UK, antiquarian. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
This is a replica of one of several commemorative scarabs issued by Pharaoh Amenhotep III to celebrate various events. The text reads: Regnal Year 11 under the majesty of Horus, the Strong Bull Appearing in Truth, Two Ladies, Who Established the Laws and Pacifies the Two Lands, Horus of Gold, Strong of Arm who Smites the Asiatics, King of Upper and Lower Egypt Nebmaatre, Son of Re, Amenhotep Ruler of Thebes given life, the great royal wife Tiye, may she live, whose father's name is Yuya and whose mother's name is Tjuyu. His majesty commanded the making of a basin for the great royal wife Tiye, may she live, in her town of Djarukha. Its length is 3700 (cubits) and its width is 700 (cubits.) (His Majesty) celebrated the opening of the lake in the third month of the Akhet season, day 16. The procession of his majesty in the royal barge Aten-Tjehen (literally, 'the dazzling sun disk') was in it. -
Scottish Masonic 32nd Degree Gold and Platinum Ring with 1 Carat Diamond
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,950
Comprising a wide D-shaped 14 carat yellow gold hoop expanding at the shoulders, pelletted band above a triangle to each shoulder, one with '32' and the other with Hebrew letter 'yod'; openwork platinum bezel formed as a double-headed eagle gripping a perch and with its wings spread, the body set with a one carat brilliant cut diamond (small chip); stamped to the inner face '14 KT PLAT'. 14.67 grams, 25.80 mm overall, 20.21 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R 1/2, USA 8 3/4, Europe 19.38, Japan 18)
Acquired on the UK art market. Ex Property of a County Durham collector. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12490-230251. 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.
There is no officially mandated design for 32nd degree Scottish Rite rings beyond the double-headed eagle, hence they can vary greatly in appearance. Common symbols include the number 32, triangles, the Hebrew letter yod (as in this example), and the square and compasses. Since the 32nd degree ring is a reflection of its owner's Masonic journey, the rings can sometimes also contain symbols from other Masonic orders.
