Limestone figure of a concubine
€1,850
available
Object number
AR3476
| Object: |
Limestone figure of a concubine
|
| Material: |
Limestone.
|
| Period: |
Ptolemaic to Roman period of Ancient Egypt, 332 BC to 200 AD Although most figures of this type come from the New Kingdom, the design of the present figure points to a much later period. |
| Description: |
Figure of a woman on a support. The naked body is stretched out, the arms and hands close to the sides. On her head she wears a bipartite wig. Necklace, belly chain and bracelets painted in red. Depictions of this type are usually interpreted as concubines, in this case lying on a bed. In fact, the meaning of the figures is not that clear, and other explanations as fertility idol or goddess can be found (see reference piece from the Boston Museum of Fine Art mentioned below). The piece presented here evidently comes from the Egyptian culture and could have been made either in Egypt itself or at a Phoenician trading post. If it was produced in the Levant, even an interpretation of the figure as Astarte cannot be ruled out. |
| Dimensions: |
91mm high, 35mm wide. 111mm high including modern stand.
|
| Condition: |
Broken edge and dents at the bottom, the feet are missing. Otherwise in excellent condition, only minimal damage. Even the original red paint is still clearly visible. Mounted on a modern black stand. Below is a sticker with the inscription "1419 12".
|
| Provenance: |
Acquired by us in 2023 on the British art trade. Previously in the British private collection of Prof. K. Graham. Acquired from him at the US-American gallery Howard S. Rose, Arte Primitivo, in their auction 8 October 2003, lot 66. In 1977 with the US-American gallery Secret Eye.
|
| References: |
Cf. Boston Museum of Fine Arts, acc. no. 72.739. Cf. T. Ornan, A Man and His Land, Highlights from the Moshe Dayan Collection, p. 24, no. 5. Cf. E. A. Hastings, The Sculpture from the Sacred Animal Necropolis at North Saqqara, 1964-76, plate LLXIII, no. 251. Similar annual report 2022 of the Antikenmuseum Basel, pp. 85. For a figure of this type, but much more finely crafted and from an earlier period, see Sotheby's London, auction 5 July 2024, sold for 7800 GPB (equivalent to 9100 EUR at the time). |
| Literature: |
For such figures see the article "Magic and Rituals Surrounding Childbirth in Ancient Egypt" by C. Beryl Rose, published 26 February 2024 in Brewminate.
|
| Authenticity: |
We unconditionally guarantee the authenticity of every artefact, all items are subject to our lifetime return policy on authenticity.
|