Ancient Egypt, Ptolemaic Bronze Situle de Pen-Iah - 125 mm
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Ancient Egyptian ptolmaic-era bronze situle, Situle de Pen-Iah, a ritual libation vessel in a piriform form with two registers of mythological scenes and hieroglyphic inscriptions naming the patron Pen-Iah and his mother, dated 305–30 BCE, measuring 125 × 45 × 46 mm, acquired from a private collection in Belgium in 2022 and presented on a detachable metal display plinth with excellent condition and rich cuprite colouring.
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Description from the seller
Magnificent situla decorated in high relief, cast bronze rich in colors (cuprite).
This ritual container used for the libation of water, milk or wine, with an elongated pear-shaped appearance and fitted with two suspension rings, is composed of two registers of scenes of a mythological nature, and a part bearing a hieroglyphic inscription mentioning the name of the person who commissioned the piece and that of his parents.
The upper part, bearing hieroglyphic inscriptions which translate as follows:
- "May Isis grant life, health, life and a long old age to Pen-Iah¹ son of Ir-Hepou the elder, born of
Ta-Sheryt-Ta-Shepet²."
- "Amon-Re-Kamoutef³."
¹ Pen-Iah is the sponsor of the situla.
² The signs being quite faded, the reading of the mother's name is not entirely certain.
³ Literally: Amun-Re, his mother's bull, ithyphallic form of Amun-Re.
On the first register is most likely the sponsor of the piece "Pen-Iah" paying homage to a theory of gods, facing him a large lotus flower is placed on a display.
Facing the display and leading the procession is the ithyphallic god Amun (Amenopet), who personifies the forces of life renewal. He is followed by the gods Horus (in his form as Harpocrates, Horus the child), Isis-Hathor, Nefertum, and Sekhmet. The latter three hold the sign of life in their right hands. Nefertum and Sekhmet both hold a scepter in the other hand (in the form of a papyrus for Sekhmet).
On the third register, a scene illustrating the birth of the sun god.
In the center, the child god on the lotus flower, framed by two cows wearing the solar disk and tall feathers. On the left side of this painting, three jackal-headed genies, and on the right side, three falcon-headed genies, the souls of Pe and Nekhen, worship the child god.
The lower part of the situla is decorated with a raised Nymphea caerulaea flower. The bottom of the situla ends in a growth reminiscent of the floral stem.
This remarkable situla is presented on a high-quality, removable metal base.
- Ancient Egypt, Ptolemaic period
- Dimensions: 125 x 45 x 46 mm (height with base: 146 mm)
- Dating: 305 - 30 BC
- Provenance: Private collection of Mr. B.J., Belgium.
- Literature: Egyptian Antiquities at the Royal Museum of Mariemont, (B.500) Pg. 206 to 209.
- Condition: Excellent condition, rich in color (cuprite), small internal repair (most likely antique) and a tiny little hole on the back of the jackal-headed genius (see photos).
Shipping: Secure and insured shipping
The room includes:
- A purchase invoice
- A certificate of authenticity
- A removable metal presentation base.
- An export license (only for countries outside the European Union).
Obtaining export licenses provided by the Belgian Cultural Heritage Directorate for countries outside the European Union can vary between 2 weeks and 2 months.
Important information: The seller guarantees that he is authorized to sell/export this lot.
The seller will ensure that the necessary authorizations, such as an export license, are arranged.
Magnificent situla decorated in high relief, cast bronze rich in colors (cuprite).
This ritual container used for the libation of water, milk or wine, with an elongated pear-shaped appearance and fitted with two suspension rings, is composed of two registers of scenes of a mythological nature, and a part bearing a hieroglyphic inscription mentioning the name of the person who commissioned the piece and that of his parents.
The upper part, bearing hieroglyphic inscriptions which translate as follows:
- "May Isis grant life, health, life and a long old age to Pen-Iah¹ son of Ir-Hepou the elder, born of
Ta-Sheryt-Ta-Shepet²."
- "Amon-Re-Kamoutef³."
¹ Pen-Iah is the sponsor of the situla.
² The signs being quite faded, the reading of the mother's name is not entirely certain.
³ Literally: Amun-Re, his mother's bull, ithyphallic form of Amun-Re.
On the first register is most likely the sponsor of the piece "Pen-Iah" paying homage to a theory of gods, facing him a large lotus flower is placed on a display.
Facing the display and leading the procession is the ithyphallic god Amun (Amenopet), who personifies the forces of life renewal. He is followed by the gods Horus (in his form as Harpocrates, Horus the child), Isis-Hathor, Nefertum, and Sekhmet. The latter three hold the sign of life in their right hands. Nefertum and Sekhmet both hold a scepter in the other hand (in the form of a papyrus for Sekhmet).
On the third register, a scene illustrating the birth of the sun god.
In the center, the child god on the lotus flower, framed by two cows wearing the solar disk and tall feathers. On the left side of this painting, three jackal-headed genies, and on the right side, three falcon-headed genies, the souls of Pe and Nekhen, worship the child god.
The lower part of the situla is decorated with a raised Nymphea caerulaea flower. The bottom of the situla ends in a growth reminiscent of the floral stem.
This remarkable situla is presented on a high-quality, removable metal base.
- Ancient Egypt, Ptolemaic period
- Dimensions: 125 x 45 x 46 mm (height with base: 146 mm)
- Dating: 305 - 30 BC
- Provenance: Private collection of Mr. B.J., Belgium.
- Literature: Egyptian Antiquities at the Royal Museum of Mariemont, (B.500) Pg. 206 to 209.
- Condition: Excellent condition, rich in color (cuprite), small internal repair (most likely antique) and a tiny little hole on the back of the jackal-headed genius (see photos).
Shipping: Secure and insured shipping
The room includes:
- A purchase invoice
- A certificate of authenticity
- A removable metal presentation base.
- An export license (only for countries outside the European Union).
Obtaining export licenses provided by the Belgian Cultural Heritage Directorate for countries outside the European Union can vary between 2 weeks and 2 months.
Important information: The seller guarantees that he is authorized to sell/export this lot.
The seller will ensure that the necessary authorizations, such as an export license, are arranged.
Details
Culture
Ancient Egypt, Ptolemaic
Century/ Timeframe
305 - 30 avant J.C.
Name of object
Situle de Pen-Iah
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2022
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Belgium
Condition
Excellent
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
125 mm
Previous owner - year acquired
1980
Width
45 mm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Unknown
Depth
46 mm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
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The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
