Lot 2A
Egypt, Late Dynastic to Ptolemaic Period, ca. 664 to 30 BCE. A stunning rectangular panel formed from a sheet of 98.55% gold (equivalent to 22K+) meant to adorn the exterior wrappings of a mummy. The detailing across the front is presented in repousse and features myriad intriguing and symbolically robust iconography. A tapered central column is topped with the face of Hathor with laterally protruding ears and a brow surmounted by a pair of Ma'at feathers, and above is a sun disk flanked with a pair of royal uraeus cobras and two massive wedjat (also wadjet, Eyes of Horus). To the left of the central pillar is a falcon-headed canid representing Horus the Elder. To the right of the pillar is a fictional creature known as the Set Animal (also Sha or Typhonian Animal), a canid-like beast with a narrow snout and a pair of squared-off ears representative of Set, brother of Osiris and the god of storms and violence. Six attachment perforations line the periphery. Size: 2.35" L x 1.6" W (6 cm x 4.1 cm); quality of gold: 98.55% (equivalent to 22K+); total weight: 5.2 grams.
The Egyptian god Set (also Seth) was depicted as having not the form of any recognizable creature in the animal kingdom but rather what Egyptologists refer to as an 'intermediate' animal. The Set Animal shown here is what scholars deem an imaginary zoomorph with strong resemblances to a canid but with a slender, tapered snout, offset ears that terminate with flat tops, and an upturned tail bearing a forked tip. The symbolism between Set and Haroeris (Horus the Elder) in this example is quite striking as it illustrates the characteristic spiritual dualism experienced by most ancient Egyptians and the constant struggle to maintain balance. Egyptologists believe that, "In the Pyramid Texts Haroeris is the son of Ra and brother of Set, and the eternal struggle between darkness and light is symbolised by the endless battles in which Set tears out the eye of Horus while Horus castrates his implacable enemy. In the early texts the Horus of this legend was Horus the Elder, but later sources make the great epic battle take place between Set and Horus, the son of Osiris. In either version, however, the tribunal of the gods gave judgment in favour of Horus, who from the end of the Second Dynasty was considered to be the divine ancestor of the pharaohs, in whose records he is given the title Hor Nubti: 'Horus the Vanquisher of Set'." ("Egyptian Mythology." Paul Hamlyn Limited, Prague, 1965, p. 68)
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Provenance: ex-Phoenicia Holyland Antiquities, New York, New York, USA, acquired in the late 1980s
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#157836
- Condition: Very slight bending to overall form and one upper corner, with minor abrasions on both sides, otherwise intact and excellent. Great remains of gold luster and fabulous preservation to repousse iconography throughout.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 27.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |