North African Sculptures

- Hand built decorative fish sculpture - made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings. - decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made by the potter to apply natur...

- Hand built decorative cat sculpture - made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings. - decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made...

VANADINITE ON BARITE Mibladen, Aït Oufella Caïdat, Midelt Cercle, Midelt Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco 12.7 cm tall x 14 cm wide The Drâa-Tafilalet Region of Morocco, best...

Two Large Kabylie Ceramic Dishes Kabylie Berber People Algeria Late 19th to early 20th century Hand molded ceramic, painted designs Diameter: 17" and 17.75" Depth: 2 3/4...

A pair of West African incised iron and copper wire axe form currency pieces. On custom mounts. In the form of a ritual axe, which in many parts of Africa was carried over the shoul...

Carcharodontosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth in a glass display box From Tegana Formation, North Africa. Cretaceous Age 65 million years Carcharodontosaurus is one of the longest and heavi...

Carcharodontosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth in a glass display box From Tegana Formation, North Africa. Cretaceous Age 65 million years Carcharodontosaurus is one of the longest and heavi...

A pair of monumental limestone sphinxes of Pharaoh Nectanebo I, from the processional avenue of the Serapeum of Memphis, 30th Dynasty, circa 379 - 360 BC. The sphinxes of the Serapeum have captivated travellers since Roman times. However, despite their significance, they are conspicuously absent from the collections of most major museums. Indeed, their existence in private hands is so improbable, and their imitations so numerous, that the present sphinxes were assumed to be modern copies throughout their recent ownership history. Finally recognised and conserved after an extraordinary chance discovery at a garden furniture sale...

Carcharodontosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth in a glass display box From Tegana Formation, North Africa. Cretaceous Age 65 million years Carcharodontosaurus is one of the longest and heavi...

Exceptionally Fine Wooden Sarcophagus Mask Third Intermediate Period, 21st Dynasty, circa 1069-945 BC. Acacia wood, rosewood, hippopotamus ivory Masterfully carved from a single piece of fine-grained hardwood, the present mask is characteristic of the most exquisite funerary art made during the 21st Dynasty, and was probably commissioned for a particularly high-ranking individual. The oval face displays a gently smiling mouth with full, outlined lips, furrows at the corners and a bow-shaped philtrum. The straight nose with rounded nostrils, the cheeks full and fleshy and the large, almond shaped eyes with heavy lids and tapering cosmetic lines, set below long, sweeping eyebrows. Social collapse across the Mediterranean in the Late Bronze Age meant that the 21st Dynasty in Egypt was a period of great turmoil. Trade routes were disrupted, governments collapsed, and mass migration occurred. Economic scarcity meant that traditional funerary practices in Egypt were also affected, with a lack of material and financial resources leading to the reuse of preexisting material. As a result, during the 21st Dynasty, 19th and 20th Dynasty coffins changed ownership rapidly and were heavily recycled for new purposes. Tombs were also unmarked allowing them to be shared by many people. These new practices brought forth a shift in the understanding of funerary paraphernalia. No longer important objects owned forever by the deceased, they were now simply seen as short-term transformative devices, whose symbolic and ritualistic meaning could be appropriated for others. However, paradoxically, the art of coffin-making also reached new heights during this period, and many of the richly dec- orated “yellow” coffins, characteristic of the 21st Dynasty, are remarkable works of art in their own right. Indeed, knowing that coffins were being reused throughout Egypt, the Egyptian élite set themself apart by commissioning lavish sarcophagi decorated with the images and texts meant to help guide them to the afterlife, and which would otherwise have adorned the tomb walls. As coffins were the chief funerary element which now identified the dead and allowed them a physical presence in the world of the living, their quality and appearance were of the utmost importance. The traditional coffin ensemble was made of three parts: a wooden mummy cover, which laid directly atop the mummy, an inner coffin, and an outer coffin, both made of a lid and case. Additional decorative elements, such as masks, were carved out separately and later glued or pegged to the lids. After the completion of the painted decoration, the sarcophagus was covered in a varnish to give it its yellow colour. Gilding was sometimes used for the coffins of the high priests’ families, notably on parts representing naked skin, such as the face mask. However, some of the élite tactically avoided gilding altogether as to ensure that their coffin would not be looted. When manufacturing the inner and outer coffins, particular attention was paid to the woodwork. Displaying the skill of the carpenter, this type of funerary art has largely remained unparalleled throughout Egyptian history. The principal wood used to craft the present mask is Acacia nilotica. The evergreen Egyptian acacia was considered sacred and said to be the tree of life, the birthplace of the god Horus, as well as symbolic of Osiris, the god of the dead and resurrection. The modelling of the face in the wood is superb, but the inlays also help mark this mask out as exceptional. Inlaid eyes and eyebrows were extremely rare and reserved to the finest and most expensive coffins. Traditionally, eyes were made of calcite, obsidian, or quartz, and eyebrows of coloured glass paste or bronze. Here, the pupils, eyebrows, and cosmetic lines are inlaid with Dalbergia melanoxylon, a rare type of wood which belongs to the rosewood genus. In antiquity, however, it was known as Ebony of the Pharaohs, from the Egyptian word “hbny”, meaning dark timber, because of its black, lustrous appearance. An extremely dense and hard wood requiring significant skill to work with, ebony was a luxury material highly coveted by the pharaohs themselves, to make furniture, decorative and funerary objects. The wood was imported with great effort from the southern Land of Punt, most likely modern Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Eritrea, alongside other luxury goods such as gold and ivory. A magnificent ebony throne, recovered in the tomb of King Tutankhamun, illustrates the incredible aesthetic potential of this material and why it was so highly valued by Egyptian royalty. Only élite members of Egyptian society could have afford- ed Ebony of the Pharaoh inlays for their funerary mask. The sclerae on the present piece were once both inlaid with hippopotamus ivory. Whiter than elephant ivory, this type of ivory is also denser, and more difficult to carve. The use of this luxury material, reputed for its gleaming appearance, enhances the lifelikeness of the eyes. For the Egyptians, hippopotamus ivory was imbued with magic powers. The hippopotamus was indeed both feared and venerated due to its aggressive behaviour. Whilst the male hippopotamus was associated with danger and chaos, the female was benevolent and invoked for protection, especially of the house and of mothers and their children, through the hippopotamus goddess Tawaret. Thus, not only was hippopotamus ivory used as an inlay and to make practical objects, such as combs and clappers, but it was also used to make talismans like apotropaic wands or knives. Made during a time of scarcity where few could afford made-to-order coffins, the present mask could have only belonged to one of the highest-ranking individuals in society. Undoubtedly one of the finest Egyptian coffin...

Contemporary Moroccan polished onyx balls. Decorative as a collection. Bowl is not included.

Egyptian Scarab Brass Beetle Figurine on stone stand after the Egyptian Museum antiquities.A unique and beautiful addition to any Egyptian Art Deco collection. This Vintage solid cast brass Egyptian scarab beetle sculpture figurine on a black stone stand could be used as a paperweight or just as a collectible Egyptian Museum decorative piece of history. The beautiful all-over antique patina of the bronze shows its age and history, adding character and depth to the piece. This Egyptian revival bronze scarab is a striking collector's item and a testament to the fascination with Egyptian culture timeless design and historical significance make it a valid addition to any collection. Dimensions: Height: 2 in Width: 3 in Depth: 2.25 in. About the Scarab in ancient Egypt: The scarab beetle held significant cultural, religious, and symbolic importance. The scarab beetle, also known as the dung beetle, played a central role in Egyptian mythology and daily life. Here are some key aspects of the scarab beetle beliefs in ancient Egypt: 1) Symbol of regeneration and rebirth: The scarab beetle was associated with the concept of regeneration and rebirth. This connection was primarily observed in the insect's behavior of rolling balls of dung in which it laid its eggs. Egyptians saw parallels between this process and the sun god Ra's daily journey across the sky, disappearing at night and re-emerging in the morning. 2) Representation of the sun god Ra: The scarab beetle became a symbol for the sun god Ra, who was one of the most important deities in the Egyptian pantheon. The rolling of the dung ball by the beetle was likened to Ra's journey across the sky, and amulets in the shape of scarabs were often worn as protective charms. 3) Protective amulets and jewelry: Scarab beetles were popular motifs in ancient Egyptian jewelry...

Spinosaurus (meaning "spined reptile") is one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs to ever exist. This behemoth lived in present-day Morocco during the upper Albian to upper Turonian...

This 100% complete trilobite fossil of the species crotacephalina on its natural limestone matrix is estimated to date back as far as 400 million years. Out of Morocco, this specimen...

This 100% complete trilobite fossil of the species drotops megalomanicus on its natural limestone matrix is estimated to date back 400 million years to the Devonian period. Out of Mo...

This 100% complete trilobite fossil of the species crotacephalina on its natural limestone matrix is estimated at approximately 400 million years old, dating back to the Devonian per...

This 100% complete trilobite fossil of the species zlichovaspis rugosa displayed on its natural limestone matrix is estimated at approximately 400 million years old, dating back to t...

- Hand built decorative horse sculpture - made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings. - decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made by the potter to apply natu...

An ancient burial mask that was created to adorn a sarcophagus, 26th Dynasty, Minia, Mid-Upper Nile, circa 900-600BCE, from the collection of Joanna Barnes and Jack Warner, (Warner B...

Spinosaurus (meaning "spined reptile") is one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs to ever exist. This behemoth lived in present-day Morocco during the upper Albian to upper Turonian...

Spinosaurus (meaning "spined reptile") is one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs to ever exist. This behemoth lived in present-day Morocco during the upper Albian to upper Turonian...

Spinosaurus (meaning "spined reptile") is one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs to ever exist. This behemoth lived in present-day Morocco during the upper Albian to upper Turonian...

These ceramic "butter churners" could be tied by the handles on each side to a donkey for transport. One of the handles shows extensive wear which proves that was used for a very lo...

This huge, Museum-quality Mesosaurus tooth is genuine, completely intact with no repairs and in pristine condition. This incredible specimen includes a display box for preservation a...

A beautifully crafted statue of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, I believe it is Ramses the 2nd however I am not completely sure. The statue appears to be made of copper or white metal. ...

Carcharodontosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth in a glass display box From Tegana Formation, North Africa. Cretaceous Age 65 million years Carcharodontosaurus is one of the longest and heavi...

This huge, Museum-quality Spinosaur foot claw is genuine, completely in tact with no repairs and in prestine condition. This incredible specimen includes a display box for preservati...

This huge, Museum-quality Spinosaur foot claw is genuine, completely in tact with no repairs and in prestine condition. This incredible specimen includes a display box for preservati...

Set of four selenite logs or ruler selenite with a white fireplace grate. Selenite logs are single, prismatic selenite crystals from Morocco that were formed in extensive beds by th...

This captivating authentic Egyptian Faience set was realized in ancient Egypt circa 3100 BCE. It offers two sarcophagus figurines- suggestive of miniature versions of King Tut's tomb- hand finished in a beautiful turquoise hue (a glaze created by pulverizing the stone into pigment). Additionally, the set features two figurines (one representative of the Egyptian god Anubis), and the other seemingly a depiction of one of the ruler's as a young child also in a turquoise glaze atop volumetric rhombus plinths with tapered sides in a refined terra cotta hue. Full of historical importance (and stunning as stand alone objects) this collection of Egyptian antiquities...

A Rare Islamic Large Porphyry Mortar With ‘stylised’ lobes and pouring spout Old fissures and break Porphyry, iron ring to base Egypt 13th / 14th Century SIZE: 18cm high, 32.5...

From Mibladen, Atlas Mountains, Khénifra Province, Morocco Here is an exceptional world class specimen of lustrous crystal luster of red-orange vanadinite crystals covering all sid...

A finely modelled pale turquoise glazed Ushabti, Circa 26th Dynasty 664-525BC Provenance: Sotheby’s London Lot 76 14/12/1981 for 725.00 Pounds sterling as part of a group lot.

From Mibladen, Atlas Mountains, Khénifra Province, Morocco Here is an exceptional world class specimen of lustrous crystal luster of red-orange vanadinite crystals covering all sid...

From Jebel Ouichane, Sagangane, Nador Province, L'Oriental Region, Morocco. Lustrous transparent blue tapered barite crystals in a group of parallel crystals with brown gossan on ma...

Leather Shield, South Sudan A small leather shield typical of the region known as an upwal, concave hide is attached to a reed spine with plaiting to form a strong grip. Mounted on ...

Spinosaurus (meaning "spine lizard") is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived in what now is North Africa, during the upper Albian to upper Turonian stages of the Cretaceous period...

This well preserved tooth is 40 to 34 million years old from the Late Eocene Period. Basilosaurus was first thought to be a reptile but was later identified as a genus of ancient cet...

Large white crystal quartz geode with a baroque pearl. Geodes are formed as gas bubbles within volcanic lava. Crystals slowly grow from minera...

Genuine Spinosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth. Spinosaurus (meaning "spine lizard") is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived in what now is North Africa, during the upper Albian to upper T...

Libyan Desert Glass is a substance found in areas in the eastern Sahara, in the deserts of eastern Libya and western Egypt. Fragments of desert glass can be found over areas of tens ...

Here is a large vertebrae from the massive Spinosaurus maroccanus theropod dinosaur. It comes from From Baharija Formation, South of Taouz, Kem-kem Basin, Morocco. Spinosaurus (mean...

Trilobites, an early arthropod relative of spiders, horseshoe crabs, and scorpions, preserved in this level of detail only occurred as a result of very sudden underwater landslides c...

From Mibladen, Atlas Mountains, Khénifra Province, Morocco Here is an exceptional world class specimen of a cluster of hexagonal crystals of bright red Vanadinites with glassy luster...

From Mibladen, Atlas Mountains, Khénifra Province, Morocco An exceptional world-class cluster of hexagonal brick-red Vanadinite crystals with glassy luster on limonite matrix. The...

From Ahouli Mines, Aouli, 7 km northeast of Mibladen, Zeida-Aouli-Mibladen belt, Midelt Province, Morocco Rich specimen of bright-blue lustrous azurite crystals on powdery green mal...

Genuine Spinosaurus (Dinosaur) tooth. Spinosaurus (meaning "spine lizard") is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived in what now is North Africa, during the upper Albian to upper T...

From Touissit Mine, 21 km SSE of Oujda, Jerada Province, Oriental, Morocco Large cluster of translucent yellow bladed wulfenite crystals over tan-colored matrix. The wulfenite cryst...

Trilobites, an early arthropod relative of spiders, horseshoe crabs, and scorpions, preserved in this level of detail only occurred as a result of very sudden underwater landslides c...

Crinoids, also known as sea lilies, are members of the Echinodermata phylum along with starfish and sea urchins. This well preserved sea fossil is from Morocco. Crinoids have the app...

Trilobites, an early arthropod relative of spiders, horseshoe crabs, and scorpions, preserved in this level of detail only occurred as a result of very sudden underwater landslides c...

Grand Tour carving of Horus, ancient Egyptian god in the form of a falcon. Quite possibly much earlier in date, that is beyond my expertise. From a collection that did have ancient p...

From Mibladen, Atlas Mountains, Khénifra Province, Morocco An exceptional world-class cluster of hexagonal brick-red Vanadinite crystals with glassy luster on limonite matrix. The...

Large, natural trilobite in its original fossil matrix. The Asaphid trilobites include some of the most extreme trilobite adaptations known, and the group produced some of the larges...

From Ahouli Mines, Aouli, 7 km northeast of Mibladen, Zeida-Aouli-Mibladen belt, Midelt Province, Morocco Rich specimen of bright-blue lustrous azurite crystals on powdery green mal...

Libyan Desert Glass is a substance found in areas in the eastern Sahara, in the deserts of eastern Libya and western Egypt. Fragments of desert glass can be found over areas of tens ...

Here is a large vertebrae from the massive Spinosaurus maroccanus theropod dinosaur. It comes from From Baharija Formation, South of Taouz, Kem-kem Basin, Morocco. Spinosaurus (mean...

This is an extremely ornamented member of the trilobites' well-known and globally distributed Lichid family. These trilobites have adapted for extreme defensiveness. Their long genal...