Egyptian Furniture

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...

Fine quality Antique Silver articulated fish Hallmarked A very fine quality Articulated silver fish model Expertly crafted with beautifully detailed silver workmanship, Hallmarked...

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...

Set of 2 Art Glass Egyptian Perfume Bottles 1980s. Handcrafted Egyptian art glass gilt glass perfume bottle. Egyptian perfume bottles set of two hand blown colorful decorative multic...

A mummiform ushabti in blue faience. Four registers of hieroglyphic characters are painted around the lower half of the ushabti, with a vertical column of hieroglyphs in the centre o...

Bronze statue of the goddess Neith, striding, her left foot extended forward. Her left hand is extended forward and formally held a papyrus sceptre, a fragmentary ankh is visible in ...

An ancient Egyptian stone vessel/jar, Old Kingdom, 2600-2800 BCE. This is an original lime stone jar from the time of the pyramid builders, these vessels where hand carved with the u...

Beautiful Hand-Carved Alabaster Lamp imported from France and does require rewiring for the US. The stone, Alabaster comes in several colors, although they then to be mostly white, y...

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...

A stunning antique Arabic calligraphy round glazed terracotta wall plate having a lovely dark espresso background with warm white calligraphy and touches of mint green and peach. A...

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...

19th century hand carved alabaster storage jar in the ancient Egyptian Late Dynastic style, with tapering neck topped by a wide everted rim. Great evocative decorative piece for the ...

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

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...

ITEM: Scarab with pseudo-hieroglyphic, Anra-type MATERIAL: Steatite CULTURE: Egyptian PERIOD: Second Intermediate Period, 1700 – 1550 B.C DIMENSIONS: 10 mm x 15 mm CONDITION: Good co...

ITEM: Scarab with spiral design MATERIAL: Steatite CULTURE: Egyptian PERIOD: Second Intermediate Period, 1700 – 1550 B.C DIMENSIONS: 12 mm x 9 mm CONDITION: Good condition PROVENANCE...

ITEM: Scarab with Uraeus, Ankh and neb basket (Amun trigram) MATERIAL: Steatite CULTURE: Egyptian PERIOD: New Kingdom, 1550 – 1070 B.C DIMENSIONS: 12 mm x 8 mm CONDITION: Good condit...

ITEM: Scarab with prenomen for Amenhotep II MATERIAL: Steatite CULTURE: Egyptian PERIOD: New Kingdom, XVIIIth Dynasty, 1143 – 1417 B.C DIMENSIONS: 15 mm x 11 mm CONDITION: Good condi...

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...

ITEM: Scarab as a commemorative of Ramesses II or prenomen of Shoshenq III MATERIAL: Black steatite CULTURE: Egyptian PERIOD: New Kingdom to Third Intermediate Period, 1279 – 664 B.C...

This vintage, large, oval beautifully engraved copper chaffing dish has solid brass handles on the sides and the top. There is a large cup for the sterno to sit in and the cabriole l...

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...

Original vintage travel poster - Visit the Arab States - featuring illustrations of iconic architecture and ancient and historical monuments including the Pillars of the Temple of Ju...

ITEM: Romano-Egyptian cartonnage mummy mask depicting a female head MATERIAL: Linen and Gesso CULTURE: Egyptian, Roman period PERIOD: 1st Century B.C – 1st Century A.D DIMENSIONS: 20...

An incredible vintage Egyptian Tabriz patterned woven in100% silk with a beautiful central multi-lobed floral medallion woven in pink gold, indigo, crimson, and natural colored silk....

This is a new OVERSIZE Egyptian rug in Persian Sultanabad design handwoven in Alexandria, Egypt in 1990s. We manufactured these high quality rugs and the design and colors were hand ...

Hand-engraved Egyptian serving tray in brass. Imported as a souvenir to Denmark circa 1950-60. It features ornamented handles, hieroglyphs and pharaoh depictions. Measurements: L: 47...

Vintage Egyptian Silk runner. Size: 2'7" × 8'2" (78 × 248 cm) A small vintage Egyptian handmade silk rug features a finely-woven dense overall pattern of...

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...

Standing female wearing a tight fitting white dress and black tripartite wig, serene facial features with large painted eyes. Separately made arms attached with dowel to the shoulder...

Very beautiful mid century Egyptian tapestry probably from Wissa Wassef school, with beautiful native design and beautiful colors, entirely hand woven with wool on cotton foundation....

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 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...

Gorgeous Pair of Vitrine Cabinets, Collection of Larry Flynt, Pair, Pink Background, Cross-Banded Borders and Metal Mounts, Vintage! This pair of vintage display cabinets...

Pretty vintage Egyptian woven tapestry, in style of Wissa Wassef school tapestries with beautiful childish design and nice colours, entirely hand woven with wool on cotton foundation.

Vintage Egyptian Silk Rug Size: 3'7" × 5'0" (109 × 152 cm) A small vintage Egyptian handmade silk rug dating back to 1980. The main field features a meda...

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...

This is a great pair of antique doors wood with decorative iron panels. The pair was imported from Egypt and were produced at a time in the early 1900s when French architecture and s...

An Egyptian steatite scarab with incised features and hieroglyphs to the reverse. The front anatomy features a detailed head and clypeus with incised linear decoration to mark the prothorax and elytra. The reverse side is hard to distinguish. Mounted in a high karat later gold swivel pendant...

This is a great set of four antique doors wood with decorative iron panels. The set was imported from Egypt and were produced at a time in the early 1900s when French architecture an...

Antique large Middle Eastern Egyptian hand-etched and repousse Mameluke style brass bowl. Could be used as a jardinière, cache pot for a large orchids composition. Engraved and hand-...

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

An Egyptian steatite scarab encased in a possibly later, high-karat gold swivel ring. The scarab is a symbol of rebirth and protection and is decorated with six sacred serpents, repr...

This is one of the largest ancient coins ever. Very rare and hard to find. It is in an excellent condition with a lot of details showing. The coin is about 44.5 millimeters wide and ...

Small Vintage Egyptian Handmade Silk Rug Size: 3'8" × 5'2" (111 × 157 cm).

A Rare and Finely Carved Egyptian Wooden Headrest with a Carved Head to both Sides Representing the God ‘Bes’ (Protector of the Homestead) above Carved...

1950s Vintage Egyptian, North Africa camel saddle shape stool. A middle eastern wood and leather camel saddle wood bench designed with a wooden frame and a red and gold leather cushion seat. Traditionally used to ride camels in the desert of Africa and the Middle East, this camel saddle could be used as a foot stool or just as an accent tribal piece in any room. Midcentury, circa 1960s. Size: 24" W x 15" D x 16" H. Seat height 14". ORIGIN: Egypt. This Egyptian dark wood with a red and gold leather cushion camel saddle stool is a striking piece of furniture that embodies the rich and ancient heritage of Egypt. This unique stool is a fusion of traditional craftsmanship, opulent design, and historical symbolism. The stool's frame is crafted from rich, dark wood, which is not only sturdy but also showcases the natural beauty of the material. The wood is adorned with brass and traditional Egyptian design of the Pharaoh and his Queen, adding an artistic touch to the piece. The ottoman stool's top features a plush cushion with red and gold leather upholstery and Egyptian Pharaonic design, pyramids, palms camels. This combination of colors, red and gold, is not only visually appealing but also carries historical significance in Egyptian culture. The red and gold leather cushion is meticulously upholstered with intricate designs. The red leather symbolizes the vibrant and passionate history of Egypt, while the gold represents its wealth and prosperity. These colors are frequently associated with the opulence of ancient Egyptian pharaohs and their palaces. The cushion's surface is adorned with ornate Egyptian embossing designs, reflecting patterns reminiscent of traditional Egyptian textiles...

It does not come with an insert. Linen in the back. Zipper Closure. Dry Cleaning is recommended

It does not come with an insert . Cotton in the back Zipper Closure. Dry Cleaning recommended.

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...

This two-headed Egyptian sphinx is constructed of solid wood. The wood has been treated to take on a sandy, almost marble, finish. Unlike the Greek sph...

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...

Vintage 1950s Egyptian Octagonal Side Table Egyptian Moorish Tilt-Top Inlaid Table. Middle Eastern Egyptian octagonal side table with marquetry inlaid and mother-of-pearl. Tilt-top d...

It does not come with an insert. Linen in the back. Zipper Closure. Dry Cleaning recommended.

ITEM: Seal with Ptah, Anubis and vulture MATERIAL: Stone CULTURE: Egyptian PERIOD: Middle Kingdom, 2040 – 1782 B.C DIMENSIONS: 39 mm x 45 mm x 32 mm CONDITION: Good condition PROVENA...

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 beautiful polished green malachite decorative box with a lid. Brought from a trip to Egypt in the 1970s, this piece will be fabulous on a nightstand or coffee table. Dimensions...

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, super decorative Egyptian brass decorated centre or occasional table with hardwood base Plea...