A LARGE TURQUOISE-GLAZED FAIENCE AMULET OF THE ENTHRONED SEKHMET, LATE PERIOD
Lot 54 - ANT1125

Egypt, 664-332 BC. Well-modeled, the lion-headed goddess sitting hieratically upon a throne, the sides neatly incised with stylized palm leaves, on a rectangular base. Her elongated forearms resting upon her thighs, while the head crowned with a royal wig, from which rounded ears emerge, surmounted by a lenticular sun disc and pierced at the back with a suspension hole.

Provenance: The collection of H. J., since February 1980. Michael Peter Staniforth, acquired from the above. A private collection in United Kingdom, acquired from the above in circa 1990. A private collection in Berlin, Germany, acquired from the above. Michael Peter Staniforth (1942–1987) was a distinguished British actor in both film and theatre. Born to a sergeant major in the Army, his childhood was spent in Germany, Egypt, and Libya, where he was exposed from an early age to the wonders of the ancient Egyptian world, inspiring a lifelong fascination. At the age of twenty-one, he emigrated to Australia, where he developed his theatrical skills before returning to England in 1969. He made a West End debut in the groundbreaking musical Hair at the Shaftesbury Theatre, initiating a notable stage career.
Condition: Very good condition, commensurate with age, with expected wear and firing irregularities. Light signs of abrasion. Few minor nicks, light surface scratches, and minute chips here and there. Small areas with soil encrustation, mostly to the back and base.

Weight: 42.7 g
Dimensions: Height 6.7 cm

Literature comparison:
Compare a related glazed faience amulet of Sekhmet, Egypt, dated Post-Dynastic to early Ptolemaic period, 7th-3rd century BC, in the Tokyo National Museum, accession number TJ-5880. Compare a related glazed faience Bastet amulet, Egypt, Late to Ptolemaic period, dated 664-30 BC, 7.3 cm high, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, object number 17.194.2443.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s London, 26 April 2012, lot 124
Price: GBP 2,750 or approx. EUR 5,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: An Egyptian faience lion-headed goddess amulet, Third Intermediate period, c. 1069-664 BC
Expert remark: Compare the related subject and manner of modeling. Note the smaller size (5.7 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonhams London, 8 December 2022, lot 12
Price: GBP 2,805 or approx. EUR 3,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: An Egyptian turquoise glazed faience amulet of Sekhmet, Third Intermediate to Late period, c. 1070-332 BC
Expert remark: Compare the related subject and manner of modeling. Note the smaller size (6 cm).