A CARNELIAN SCARAB, NEW KINGDOM

拍品描述

A CARNELIAN SCARAB, NEW KINGDOM This lot is from a single owner collection and is therefore offered without reserve Egypt, circa 1550-1070 BC. Naturalistically carved, the scarab depicts a dung beetle, the convex dorsal surface subtly ridged to indicate the elytra, while the legs and head are defined in low relief along the sides. The translucent stone exhibits an intense orange tone with dark inclusions. Important Note: For essential information on the Jorgen Ruben Gallery Ledger and provenance documentation please visit here: www.zacke.at/rubencollection_ledger Dimensions: Length 2.1 cm The ancient Egyptians believed that the dung beetle, the Scarabaeus sacer, was one of the manifestations of the sun god Ra. Representations of these beetles were used as amulets, and for ritual or administrative purposes. The use of carnelian as a material also linked to Ra, as the stone’s fiery color was connected to the solar cult, and was further associated with the blood-lust and rage of Egyptian deities. Literature comparison: Compare a related inscribed carnelian scarab of Neferu-Re, 1.4 cm long, dated 1479-1458 BC, in the Walters Art Museum, accession number 42.56, where the authors note “[s]carabs made of dark red carnelian were popular for the female members of the court in early 18th Dynasty.” Compare a related carnelian scarab, dated New Kingdom, 1.6 cm long, in the British Museum, registration number 1897,0401.436. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Bonhams London, 7 July 2022, lot 40 Price: GBP 7,650 or approx. EUR 10,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, carving manner, and stone. Note the size (3.1 cm).

图片