An Egyptian Mummy Mask
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An Egyptian Mummy Mask

Description

Made of cartonnage – a medium consisting of layers of fibers – this mummy mask features a broad foliate and beaded collar. The wig is decorated with an open lotus blossom on the forehead and a scarab on the crown. The cheek straps and other details are painted in blue, purple, red, pink and green on a yellow ground.

REFERENCE #

SI_EG_1049

CIVILIZATION

Egyptian, 100 C.E.

SIZE

H. 33 cm

CONDITION

Some normal areas of edge losses, mostly minor; a few open splits and some areas of the interior have been strengthened with a linen backing. Some normal minor paint flakes. Lower front portion of wig is curled under; the very tip of the nose chipped.

PRICE

Sold

PROVENANCE

Private NYS collection, ex. Sotheby’s, Sale 5464, lot 250, May 30th, 1986

Ancient Bronze Thrusting Sword
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Ancient Bronze Thrusting Sword

This Persian sword is a remarkable example of the technology and design that went into crafting an ancient piece of weaponry. The dark hue of this sword lends it an austere weight, while the thick ribs and large crescent of the hilt are an indication of the strength required to wield such a heavy object. The broad blade seems to be made not for bludgeoning as much as cutting, with the raised ridge that runs along its length adding force to its blows.

This is a piece that makes a forceful statement in any collection, especially for collectors looking for a simpler alternative to the overwrought designs of later civilizations. The ancient Persians were known for their battle prowess, and this weapon is a fine example as to the tools ancient warriors had at their disposal. This sword has been wonderfully restored and displays a brilliant luster that still gleams along its long blade.

REFERENCE #

WP_PR_1111

CIVILIZATION

Persian, 1200 B.C.E. – 1100 B.C.E.

SIZE

L. 54 cm, 8 cm W

CONDITION

Excellent condition

PRICE

$11500

PROVENANCE

Jerusalem Private Collection

Greek Ceramic Figurine of a Sphinx
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Greek Ceramic Figurine of a Sphinx

Description

According to ancient literary sources, the sphinx was a monster with the face and bust of a woman, the talons of a lion, the body of a dog, a serpent’s tail and wings of a bird. Its pale appearance, venomous mouth and stony gaze characterised this demon of divine origin. Its presence amongst humans created uncertainty and fear. It is possible that this hybrid had its origin in Egyptian iconography, where it was represented with the body of a feline and a human face, and was probably related to the divine power of the pharaoh.

This terracotta piece shows a monster seated on its haunches and in profile, with its head turned to the right toward the public. The female countenance has idealised features of great beauty. The thick, wavy hair is crowned with a polos or crown on the Corinthian model. On the right wing the rendering of the feathers shows a clear interest in the anatomical details of birds: the feathers inserted into the body itself are small and short, rather like scales, while those at the extreme end of the wing are long and narrow, to help the bird take flight.

The sculptural prototype of Greek sphinxes appears around the 7th century BC in terracotta, and was usually found decorating large receptacles. A century later they appeared in marble crowning seated ex-votos on a column. The monstrous, aggressive nature of the hybrid was channelled into funerary art, serving as an apotropaic symbol to keep away malevolent forces. It was usual, therefore, to find this iconography in metopes and hollow acroteria in Greek necropoleis of the 6th century BC, usually with the animal in profile and turning its head toward the public in an attitude of defiance.

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

  • BILLOT, M.F. “Le Sphinx du Louvre CA 637”, Bulletin de Correspondence Hellénique. 1977.
  • MARCONI, C. Temple Decoration and Cultural Identity in the Archaic Greek World. Getty Foundation. 2007, p. 90.
  • RENGER, A.B. Oedipus and the Sphinx: The Threshold Myth from Sophocles through Freud to Cocteau. UCP. 2013.
  • STILLWELL, A. N. Corinth: The Potters’ Quarter. Harvard Univ. Press. 1952.

REFERENCE #

SI_GR_1034

Civilization Greek,

6th – 5th century B.C.E.

 

SIZE

H. 18 cm

 

CONDITION

In a good state of preservation, without any restoration.

 

PROVENACE,

Private collection G. A., Gardena, California, USA.