< Previous9A LION BOWL WITH HANDLE L. 12.5 cm. Black steatite. Near Eastern, ca. 9th–8th cent. B.C. CHF 6,000 Bowl with profiled rim and broad groove below the rim held in the paws of a lion. The body of the feline continues into the partly preserved tube, which may have been attached to a vessel. The oil or other liquid contained in this vessel would have been able to flow through a narrow channel in the protome and out of the lion’s mouth into the bowl. The deep eye sockets were originally inlaid; details incised; exterior of bowl polished. Minor traces of abra- sion in the interior of the bowl. A fragment of the tube’s rim lost; fissure on the underside of the lion’s body that reaches to the vessel’s wall. Rim of bowl slightly worn. The bowl was probably used in religious rituals. From the estate of the Swiss art dealer and collector Elsa Bloch-Diener (1922–2012), Bern, acquired between 1972 and 1985. For a lion closely related in style and posture, and with a similar mane composed of cross-hatched dia- monds, cf. a bowl in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, inv. no. 61.98 (online). In terms of posture and stylistic design it is related to a richly ornamented bowl in the British Museum, London, inv. no. 1956.0211.1 (online).10A SQUATTING BABOON H. 21 cm. Limestone, traces of grey-white coating. Egyptian, Middle Kingdom, ca. 2137–1781 B.C. CHF 9,500 Statuette of a squatting sacred baboon. He turns his head to stare at the beholder with his large eyes. The sculptor simplified the baboon’s shape so that it reflects the ideal type. The object he held in his arms is lost. The beginnings of the left arm and the legs except for the feet are preserved. Slightly worn. The sacred baboon played an important role in the religion and magic of the ancient Egyptians from late prehistory onwards. His dignified appearance, learning capabilities and intelligence soon made him an animal sacred to the god of wisdom, Thot. Formerly Coll. Prof. Hans Dahn (1919–2019), Lausanne, acquired 1956 in Basel. Up to the Middle Kingdom, sacred baboons were found in Egypt itself. Afterwards, they were im- ported from Nubia or Punt on the Somalian coast. On the meaning of the baboon, cf. E. Hornung-E. Staehelin (ed.), Skarabäen und andere Siegelamulette aus Basler Sammlungen. Ägyptische Denkmäler in der Schweiz 1 (Mainz 1976) 106.11A STATUETTE OF A STANDING MONKEY H. 5.8 cm. Clay, reddish brown and white coating. Egyptian, Ptolemaic, 4th–1st cent. B.C. CHF 2,800 The monkey stands on a rectangular plinth and looks straight ahead. Its tail is curled up above its hindquarters. The large, robust body contrasts with the small head with its finely modelled details. The ears lie close to the head. Traces of a white and reddish brown coating. Root of tail partially restored, otherwise intact. Old inv. No. “51” on the base of the plinth. Formerly priv. coll. Baden-Württemberg, Germany, formed since ca. 1930. Thereafter priv. coll. Saar- land, Germany.12AN AMULET WITH SEKHMET ENTHRONED H. 5 cm. Light blue faience, details in dark blue. Egyptian, Late Period, 26th–30th Dynasty, 664–341 B.C. CHF 950 The lion-headed goddess is seated on an open-work throne with a low backrest. The throne is decorated with a representation of Nehebkau, a snake-shaped tutelary god, and an arch. As is customary, the goddess wears a close-fitting dress. Her lion’s face and mane are rendered in great detail. She holds a naos sistrum in her right hand. A loop for suspension at the back of the head. Underside of the base hollow. Beginnings of left arm preserved. Backrest and base slightly worn. Formerly Coll. F. Schwarz, Canton Zurich, Switzerland. The meaning of the Sekhmet amulet is revealed by the sistrum held by the goddess. The sistrum is a type of rattle that was used to appease the goddess during worship. The lion’s head indicates the goddess’ dangerous character, but the sistrum shows that she has been appeased and is exercising her positive powers. Cf. S. Schoske - D. Wildung, Gott und Götter im Alten Ägypten, cat. Berlin (Mainz 1992) 86 f., no. 59 with further examples.13AN AMULET OF THE GOD BES H. 4.1 cm. Green faience. Egyptian, Ptolemaic, 3rd cent. B.C. CHF 800 The popular, apotropaic deity Bes is represented as a dwarf with a grotesque face and fat bel- ly. He wears a high feather crown, of which only the lower section is preserved. Beginnings of left arm and thighs preserved. Base of feather crown slightly worn. Surface partially abraded. Formerly Gautier-goxe-belaisch, Enghien Hotel Des Ventes, Auction 2.6.2002, lot 74. The apotropaic god Bes protects those who are sleeping, pregnant, in childbed or newly born. He is also the god of festivities and dance. His image is therefore frequently found in domestic environ- ments, for instance in women’s quarters, at the head end of beds and on neck supports. For the style, cf. a fairly large, green-glazed amulet of Bes in a Swiss private collection: A. Wiese - M. Page-Gasser, Ägypten. Augenblicke der Ewigkeit. Unbekannte Schätze aus Schweizer Privatbesitz, cat. Basel (Basel/ Mainz 1997) 299 f., no. 206 with illus.Next >