Egyptian Decorative Objects

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...

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...

The Egyptian Ba-Bird sculpture is a wooden statue of a human-headed bird that may have been used in burials during the Ptolemaic and Late Periods. The sculpture is sometimes attached...

PRESENTING a very RARE Early 19C (or possibly even earlier) Ornate Middle Eastern Bronze Bin. We are of the opinion that this large bin/bucket/planter or water pail is from the very...

Alabaster cylindrical vase Egyptian style, 20th century. A planar base and lightly flared accentuated with a segmented, cord-patterned ring in relief, all ...

BRONZE EGYPTIAN CAT GODDESS A rare and stylised gold patinated solid bronze cast cat god ‘Bastet’ with hollow eyes produced in the Art Deco period, havin...

O/5517 - Antique bronze door knocker with sphinx - From the early 19th century, after the great Egyptian discoveries with great interest for the whole world. Beautiful on the door, ...

Bring the opulence and mystique of Egypt and its equally artful hieroglyphics to your space. The aged patina of the bronze exudes a timeless elegance, showcasing the meticulous craft...

Exquisite Hand-Carved Marble Bust: Inspired by the 'Magical Statue' from Thorvaldsen Museum, Copenhagen. Elevate your space with this extraordinary marble bust, a testament to the m...

This type of Egyptian Vessel was carved from a very hard stone using a simple drill and was most likely used for the storage of ointment or liquids. The small lug handles allowed the...

Egyptian head of a man, carved granite. 18th Dynasty, circa 1550-1292 B.C. Carved in beautiful dark granite, this head depicts an elite individual, perha...

Heavy large Bronze Bastet Cat made around the 1970's - 1980's. Beautifull Christmas gift or Present.

Large Hand Chased & Enameled Egyptomania Brass Jardinière/ Planter Egypt, 1930s A magnificent Large Hand Chased & Enameled Egyptomania Brass Jardinière/Planter from Egypt, after the...

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...

Canopus Jar "Asmet", With certificate of authenticity. 1069 - 664 B.C, Egypt. Good condition. Egyptian culture are "Canopus jars". These were vessels ...

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.

Egyptian copper & silver cache pot in an aged coppery finish that features attention to detail. The fine silver inlay work in the style of artisans fr...

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...

This vintage carved stone ram amulet is handcrafted from a genuine pale green jade stone. This small jade ram sculpture, ram or sheep horned animal sculpture measure about 4 inches, it represent the Egyptian god Khnum. This Egyptian stone...

Discover the epitome of elegance with this exquisite pair of Egyptian sphinx statues. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, these magnificent sculptures are made of scaiola pl...

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...

Unsigned, this heavy white head plaster sculpture conveys a majestic impression thanks to the skillful combination of curved and sharp lines. The back of t...

Antique Signed Art pottery vase by Roger GUERIN (1896-1954)  This beautiful art pottery vase is by Roger Guerin, Belgian potter. The colors are shades of tan and chocolate brown....

A tall off-white glazed vessel with brown painted decoration- an abstract band on the shoulder above a foliate band below. The rough spots represent firi...

A Mamluk style engraved and punched brass jardinière ottoman Syria or Egypt, early 20th century The deep tapering body with short undulating neck decorated with calligraphic insc...

MIddle Eastern Egyptian-style (1st Quarter 20th Century -Czech) small blue and beige amphora pitcher with sphinx figure & motifs.

Brown and Mawe Pair of obelisks Marble, Egypt style Signed Brown & Mawe 149 Strand Measures: 16 1/5" high, 4 1/2" wide, 4 1/2" depth Provenance: Private collection A rare and magnificent pair of English Regency Egyptian...

Middle Eastern Egyptian-style (English 1920s) large brown pitcher with sphinx head spout and beige and white classical figures in relief (impressed: DAUL...

A French Empire bronze and ormolu clock in the Egyptian style with 8 day silk-suspension striking movement by Hemon a Paris, also marked “Ledure Bronzier”, enclosed in bronze obelisk...

Grand Tour statue of Pharaoh Hatshepsut after the ancient model. Hatshepsut was the fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt and was the second historically confirmed female pharaoh, the first being Sobekneferu. The authentic ancient sculpture of Hatshepsut is located in Deir el-Bahri, Thebes, Egypt. Cast painted plaster. Provenance: The Collection of Charles de Beistegui, Château de Groussay. Charles de Beistegui (1894-1970), an enigmatic interior decorator whose passport was Spanish and whose wealth came from his family’s Mexican silver mines. Beistegui to indulge himself in the homes he decorated, such as his Chateau de Groussay...

Egyptian carved and painted life size sarcophagus figure (19/20th Cent)

A pair Napoleon III Egyptian imperial porphyry urns and covers, each with a shaped cover and baluster body on a concave support and square b...

The pair of figures, one male and one female, are cast in patinated bronze, and are styled as Egyptian figures in the Empire style of Napoleon I. The sculptures are set upon square-f...

Impressive opposing pair of Venetian polychromed and paint decorated Egyptian style figural torcheres. Early 20th century. A life-size Nubian man and woman, each dressed in traditio...

Top quality and condition sculpture. If you are a collector of anything to do with ancient Egypt or if you are decorating a room or business with an Egyptian theme then this rare Pharaoh sculpture...

This was John Brevard's first bronze sculpture that he created in 2008. The piece was inspired by non-dual states of consciousness. This stunning bronze piece measures: 10' x 24"wi...

These beautiful sculptures were crafted in Austria in the early 20th century. They are signed, ‘Nam Greb’, after the famous ‘Bergman’ Viennese bronze foundry. Cast in the Bergman style, the Orientalist sculptures depict two women in Egyptian dress...