41 - AN EARLY AND RARE GOLD AMULET OF THOT, NEW KINGDOM, CIRCA 1500-1200 BC

AN EARLY AND RARE GOLD AMULET OF THOT, NEW KINGDOM, CIRCA 1500-1200 BC Exhibited: Kunstgebäude am Schlossplatz, Stuttgart, 18 February - 23 April 1984 Kestner Museum, Hannover, 10 May - 5 August 1984 Published: Emma Brunner-Traut, Hellmut Brunner, Johanna Zick-Nissen, Osiris, Kreuz, Halbmond. Die drei Religionen Ägyptens, 1984, Philipp von Zabern, Mainz am Rhein, p. 41, no. 25. Expert’s note The notably early dating of the present figure is confirmed by its published scholarly record. The figure was already attributed to the New Kingdom, circa 1500–1200 BC, in the above-mentioned publication, which is significantly earlier than the dating generally assigned to comparable examples, including the two auction result comparisons cited below. The figure is undoubtedly conceived as a miniature version of a larger temple statue, translating a monumental cult image into precious, portable form. Its diminutive scale is readily explained by its execution in solid gold, a material whose exceptional value and divine associations made it extremely rare and desirable. Egypt. Finely rendered in solid gold, depicting Thoth with a human body and the head of an ibis framed by a long striated wig. The god is shown striding forward with his left leg advanced, dressed in a shendyt, his arms lowered and his hands clenched into fists. Thot’s ibis-headed form, as represented here, was among his principal anthropomorphic manifestations. The backside is fitted with a small loop for suspension, indicating that the figure was intended to be worn or otherwise suspended as an amulet. Provenance: Erwin Oppenländer collection, since 1969, and thence by descent in the family. Erwin Oppenländer (1901-1988) was a distinguished German collector of ancient art whose extensive collection encompassed Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Near Eastern antiquities, specializing on ancient glass, stone vessels, jewelry, and cylinder seals. His collection was formed over several decades, dating from the 1930s onwards, and included a group of ancient Near Eastern cylinder seals acquired by the Freie Universität Berlin in 1967. Important works from his collection were exhibited in 1974 in ‘Gläser der Antike: Sammlung Erwin Oppenländer’ at the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg and at the Römisch-Germanisches Museum in Cologne in 1975, and subsequently entered major institutional collections, including the J. Paul Getty Museum. Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear and casting irregularities. German Export License: Ausfuhrgenehmigung Nr. 15672, dated 6 August 2027, has been granted. A copy accompanies this lot. Weight: 19.7 g Dimensions: Height 3.9 cm Thoth, known in ancient Egyptian as Djehuti, was one of Egypt’s most important deities, revered principally as the god of wisdom, writing, knowledge, and measurement. Usually represented with the head of an ibis or in the form of a baboon, he was regarded as the divine inventor of writing and language and as the patron of scribes. His mastery of knowledge extended to mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and magic, making him an embodiment of intellectual and sacred wisdom. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related gold figure of Thot, dated New Kingdom, late period, 664-332 BC, 3.5 cm tall, in the Royal Museums of Art and History, Brussels, inventory number E.8059. Compare a related gold amulet of Nehebkau, dated late period, 664-332 BC, 2 cm tall, in the Art Institute of Chicago, reference number 1894.962. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s London, 26 April 2012, lot 34 Price: GBP 32,450 or approx. EUR 59,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: An Egyptian gold Oxyrhynchus fish amulet, Late New Kingdom-Late Period, circa 1150-350 B.C. Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject, material, form, and fine detailing. Note the identical size (3.9 cm). Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Sotheby’s London, 3 December 2019, lot 71 Price: GBP 37,500 or approx. EUR 57,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: An Egyptian gold amulet of Sekhmet, Ptolemaic Period, 305–30 B.C. Expert remark: Compare the closely related material, form, fine execution, and similarly elaborate detailing. Note the identical size (3.9 cm).