429 - Graeco-Egyptian Terracotta Hanging Shrine with Face of Athena. The Peter Clayton Egyptian Collection (Lots 1-32 & 391-500)

Graeco-Egyptian Terracotta Hanging Shrine with Face of Athena. The Peter Clayton Egyptian Collection (Lots 1-32 & 391-500) Roman Period, circa 2nd-3rd century A.D. Tubular type with the facing head of Athena on the obverse, void on the reverse. Cf. Fjeldhagen, M., Graeco-Roman Terracottas from Egypt. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen, 1995, pp. 96-97, nos. 77-78, for examples of hanging shrine-like lanterns with moulded Athena heads; Weber, W., Die gyptisch-griechischen Terrakotten, Berlin, 1914, pl. 41, for various hanging terracottas. 158 grams, 11.2 cm (4 3/8 in.). [No Reserve] Ex E.B.W. Chapplelow collection, January 1958. Certificate of antiquity no.668 of Blanchard's Egyptian Museum, Cairo. From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s. Accompanied by an old handwritten information card by Peter Clayton, collection no.14. Hanging shrine-like terracottas often served as lanterns for nighttime lamp festivals of the syncretic Romano-Egyptian goddess Athena-Neith, as shown in this example by the large, possibly soot-stained, opening at the back. This object type is characteristic of the so-called 'Fayum terracottas', as large numbers of terracotta figurines were recovered from the Fayum Oasis. TimeLine Auctions follows a rigorous vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists. See our website for more information.