Egyptian pieces with royal provenance
14 December 2024 All items in the upcoming Prince Collection at Apollo Art Auctions come with royal provenance, including these Egypt
A c.1353-1322 BC sandstone panel depicting the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten worshiping the ancient god Aton. This piece is particularly important as Akhenaten was the first to introduce monotheism in Ancient Egypt – a controversial move that led to the destruction of his monuments after his death in an attempt to erase his religious reforms. Estimate £15,000-30,000.
London auction house Apollo Art Auctions will be offering The Prince’s Collection – an offering of lots with royal provenance on December 15.
One of the largest royal-provenance collections ever auctioned by Apollo Art Auctions, this sale features significant antiquities from Ancient Egypt, Phoenicia, and the Near East, with each item holding significant historical importance.
With estimates from £750, we pick out five ancient Egyptian highlights.
1. Egyptian granite head of a Pharaoh
A c. 747-653 BC black granite head of a sphynx of a pharaoh, probably Taharqa (690-971 BC). He wears the nemes headdress with a frontal uraeus cobra. Estimate £30,000-60,000.
2. Egyptian black stone ritual mortar
A c.2055-1790 BC carved black stone ritual mortar. The deep basin was perhaps able to hold ample amounts of material, from food and medicinal ingredients to substances pulverised into colourful pigments. It comes with an estimate of £12,000-20,000.
3. Faience ushabti of Nesytanebetisheru
A c.1075 - 945 BC hand-built faience ushabti of Nesytanebetisheru in layers of brilliant blue glaze. The figure stands in mummiform with a seed bag draped from both shoulders down to the middle of his back. 15cm x 6cm (6 x 2.5in). Estimate £3000-6000.
4. Egyptian alabaster jar
Dating from the reign of Ramsess II, (c.1279-1213 BC), this impressive alabaster is adorned with paintings depicting a Nile scene and papyrus flowers. It measures 26cm x 16cm (10 x 6in) and comes with a £12,000-£20,000 estimate.
5. Sandstone low relief
A c.1353-1322 BC sandstone panel depicting the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten worshiping the ancient god Aton. This piece is particularly important as Akhenaten was the first to introduce monotheism in Ancient Egypt – a controversial move that led to the destruction of his monuments after his death in an attempt to erase his religious reforms. Estimate £15,000-30,000.