PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, CIRCA 2ND-1ST CENTURY B.C.

Details

AN EGYPTIAN MOSAIC GLASS PRAYING LAPWING INLAY
PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, CIRCA 2ND-1ST CENTURY B.C.
The head with amethyst eye, opaque white, blue facial lines, blue and red feathers within brown outline, body feathers in opaque translucent cobalt blue, red and grey, white and grey wings, yellow outline, opaque white five-petalled flower behind, opaque red upraised arm, in blue matrix
1 in. x 7/16 in. (2.5 cm. x 1.1 cm.)

Provenance

The Groppi Collection, Switzerland; acquired in the 1920s-1940s.

Exhibited

Antikensmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig und Museum August Kestner Hannover, Köstlichkeiten aus Kairo!, 2008, no. 20.

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 20% on the buyer's premium.

Lot Essay

PUBLISHED:
Exhibition catalogue, Köstlichkeiten aus Kairo!, Antikensmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig und Museum August Kestner Hannover, 2008, p. 72, no. 20.

As part of a temple's frieze, the hieroglyph of the lapwing is read rekhyt, symbolised the people of Egypt and was often shown recumbent, their 'arms' raised in adoration to the pharaoh, cf. exhibition catalogue, La gloire d'Alexandrie, Paris, 7 May- 26 July, 1998, no. 90 (Collection Fouad, Graeco-Roman Museum inv. 24595).

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