Ancient Egypt, Ptolemaic Bronze Situle de Pen-Iah - 125 mm
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 10,000 - € 13,000
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Description from the seller
Beautiful situla decorated in strong relief, cast bronze rich in color (cuprite).
This ritual vessel used for libation of water, milk, or wine, of elongated pear-shaped form and equipped with two suspension rings, comprises two registers of scenes with mythological character, and a carrying part bearing a hieroglyphic inscription mentioning the name of the patron of the piece and that of his parents.
The upper part, carrying the hieroglyphic inscriptions translated as follows:
- "May Isis grant life, health, vitality and long life to Pen-Iah¹ son of Ir-Hepou the elder, born of Ta-Sheryt-Ta-Shepet²."
- "Amon-Rê-Kamoutef³."
¹ Pen-Iah is the patron of the situla.
² The signs being fairly faded, the reading of the mother's name is not entirely certain.
³ Literally: Amon-Rê, the bull of his mother, an ithyphallic form of Amon-Rê.
On the first register is very likely the patron of the piece, "Pen-Iah", paying homage to a theory of gods; facing him, a large lotus flower is placed on a stand.
Opposite the stand and opening the procession is the ithyphallic god Amon (Amenopet), who personifies the forces of life renewal. He is followed by the gods Horus (in the form of Harpocrates, Horus the Child), Isis-Hathor, Nefertoum and Sekhmet. These three last hold in their right hand the ankh (the sign of life). Nefertoum and Sekhmet each hold, in their other hand, a scepter (papyrus-shaped for Sekhmet).
On the third register, a scene illustrating the birth of the solar god.
In the center, the child god on the lotus flower, framed by two cows crowned with the solar disk and tall plumes. On the left side of the tableau, three jackal-headed genies, and on the right, three falcon-headed genies, the souls of Pe and Nekhen, adore the child god.
The lower part of the situla is decorated with a relief of a blue water-lily (Nymphaea caerulea). The back of the situla ends in a protrusion recalling the floral stem.
This remarkable situla is mounted on a high-quality removable metal display stand.
- Ancient Egypt, Ptolemaic period
- Dimension: 125 x 45 x 46 mm (height with stand: 146 mm)
- Dating: 305–30 BCE
- Provenance: Private collection of Mr. B.J., Belgium.
- Literature: Antiquités Egyptiennes au musée royal de Mariemont (B.500) pp. 206–209.
- Condition: Excellent condition, rich in colors (cuprite), small internal repair (very probably ancient) and a tiny hole at the back of the jackal-headed genie (see photos).
Shipping: Secured and insured shipping
!!! NO SHIPMENT TO THE UNITED STATES !!!
The item 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 Directorate of Cultural Heritage of Belgium for countries outside the European Union can vary between 2 weeks and 2 months.
Important information: The seller guarantees that they are authorized to sell/export this lot.
The seller will ensure that the necessary authorizations, such as an export license, are arranged.
Beautiful situla decorated in strong relief, cast bronze rich in color (cuprite).
This ritual vessel used for libation of water, milk, or wine, of elongated pear-shaped form and equipped with two suspension rings, comprises two registers of scenes with mythological character, and a carrying part bearing a hieroglyphic inscription mentioning the name of the patron of the piece and that of his parents.
The upper part, carrying the hieroglyphic inscriptions translated as follows:
- "May Isis grant life, health, vitality and long life to Pen-Iah¹ son of Ir-Hepou the elder, born of Ta-Sheryt-Ta-Shepet²."
- "Amon-Rê-Kamoutef³."
¹ Pen-Iah is the patron of the situla.
² The signs being fairly faded, the reading of the mother's name is not entirely certain.
³ Literally: Amon-Rê, the bull of his mother, an ithyphallic form of Amon-Rê.
On the first register is very likely the patron of the piece, "Pen-Iah", paying homage to a theory of gods; facing him, a large lotus flower is placed on a stand.
Opposite the stand and opening the procession is the ithyphallic god Amon (Amenopet), who personifies the forces of life renewal. He is followed by the gods Horus (in the form of Harpocrates, Horus the Child), Isis-Hathor, Nefertoum and Sekhmet. These three last hold in their right hand the ankh (the sign of life). Nefertoum and Sekhmet each hold, in their other hand, a scepter (papyrus-shaped for Sekhmet).
On the third register, a scene illustrating the birth of the solar god.
In the center, the child god on the lotus flower, framed by two cows crowned with the solar disk and tall plumes. On the left side of the tableau, three jackal-headed genies, and on the right, three falcon-headed genies, the souls of Pe and Nekhen, adore the child god.
The lower part of the situla is decorated with a relief of a blue water-lily (Nymphaea caerulea). The back of the situla ends in a protrusion recalling the floral stem.
This remarkable situla is mounted on a high-quality removable metal display stand.
- Ancient Egypt, Ptolemaic period
- Dimension: 125 x 45 x 46 mm (height with stand: 146 mm)
- Dating: 305–30 BCE
- Provenance: Private collection of Mr. B.J., Belgium.
- Literature: Antiquités Egyptiennes au musée royal de Mariemont (B.500) pp. 206–209.
- Condition: Excellent condition, rich in colors (cuprite), small internal repair (very probably ancient) and a tiny hole at the back of the jackal-headed genie (see photos).
Shipping: Secured and insured shipping
!!! NO SHIPMENT TO THE UNITED STATES !!!
The item 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 Directorate of Cultural Heritage of Belgium for countries outside the European Union can vary between 2 weeks and 2 months.
Important information: The seller guarantees that they are 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
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
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.
