North African Antiquities

Ancient Egyptian kohl vessel set, dating to the New Kingdom (c. 1550–1295 B.C.), includes a wooden container for storing kohl, a black cosmetic used for eye adornment and protection,...

Ancient Egyptian Turquoise Glazed Faience Ushabti of the 26th Dynasty Good condition, displayed on stand An Egyptian ushabti, also known as shabti or shawabti, is a small funerary f...

Finely woven of wool and linen, this large, ancient, museum level Coptic textile depicts figures derived from classical antiquity, some playing musical ...

This Late Period to Ptolemaic Period Egyptian carved wood ear, once part of a mummy mask, stands as a poignant testament to ancient Egyptian customs and beliefs. Dating back over 250...

Elegant old cedar wood sweet Egyptian mummy mask, 8 3/4 Inches high. Soft weathered surface and great expression. Areas of chips erosion and little bits mis...

:: Antique handmade African Neolithic era marble bracelet. These marble bracelets were hand carved in North Africa and likely used for currency. This piece is a unique collectible, w...

The cup hand-carved from white alabaster with caramel and white veining throughout the composition. The cup stands upon a tapering base, and widens to form the ribbed, cylindrical cup. Alabaster was a material prized by ancient sculptors...

Kapati Textile
Byzantine Period; 4th–5th Century C.E.
Materials: Plant and Animal Fibers, Wool 9,5 x 9,5 cm This woolen fabric is woven in the traditional Coptic Kapati style, characteristic of Egypt during the Christian era. The name "Kapati" refers to the Copts of Egypt and describes a weaving technique that does not use embroidery or printing. It is said that Al-Muqawqis, the governor of Egypt, offered the Prophet garments made from Kapati fabric. At the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris, the French archaeologist Albert Gayet showcased the results of his excavations from the winter of 1898-1899. Around one hundred Coptic textiles and fragments were displayed at the Palais du Costume. Their aesthetic generated considerable enthusiasm, particularly among artists like Auguste Rodin and Henri Matisse. This led to a "Coptomania," which, among other things, influenced fashion designers. The square fragment features black decoration on a beige background; the two squares at the center are separated by scalloped edges, from which hang various ornaments or geometric motifs. At the center of the fragment is an image of a dancing figure surrounded by geometric decorations. This piece dates back to a time when ancient...

Coptic textile Byzantine Period; 4th–5th Century C.E.
Materials: linen, Wool 23 x 16 cm This fragment features black decorations on a beige background, depicting human figures with...

:: Antique handmade African Neolithic era marble bracelet. These marble bracelets were hand carved in North Africa and likely used for currency. This piece is a unique collectible, w...

A Small Egyptian Bronze Statue of Harpocrates, Circa 1st Century B.C. / 1st Century A.D. The left hand holds the horn of abundance. Provenanc...

Antique handmade African red slip ware vase. Circa 300-600 CE (AD), this beautiful handmade piece red slip ware pottery was handmade in North Africa. This pi...

A gilded wooden head of an ibis. The bird’s head starts with its long thin neck and extends into the large pointed beak, forming a near-horizontal silhouette. The ridges down the beak and the circular eyes are deeply incised. The ibis was sacred to the Egyptian god Thoth, god of wisdom and writing, who was often depicted with the head of an ibis. Representations of the ibis in copper alloy are some of the most numerous sacred animal statuettes, alongside the cat, falcon, and Apis bull...