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
Magnificent situla decorated in strong relief, bronze cast rich in colors (cuprite).
This ritual vessel used for libation of water, milk, or wine, of piriform elongated shape and fitted with two suspension rings, is made up of two registers of mythological scenes, and a carrying part bearing an inscription in hieroglyphs mentioning the name of the commissioner of the piece and that of his parents.
The upper part, bearing hieroglyphic inscriptions translated as follows:
- "May Isis grant life, health, long life and a long old age to Pen-Iah, son of Ir-Hepou the elder, born of Ta-Sheryt-Ta-Shepet."
- "Amon-Rê-Kamoutef."
¹ Pen-Iah is the commissioner of the situla.
² The signs being quite faded, reading 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 probably the commissioner of the piece, "Pen-Iah", paying homage to a theory of gods; opposite him a large lotus flower is placed on a stand.
Facing the stand and opening the procession is the ithyphallic god Amon (Amenopet), who personifies the forces of renewal of life. He is followed by the gods Horus (in his form of Harpocrates, Horus the Child), Isis-Hathor, Nefertoum and Sekhmet. The last three hold in their right hand 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 this panel, three jackal-headed geniuses, and on the right, three falcon-headed geniuses, the souls of Pe and Nekhen, adore the child god.
The lower part of the situla is decorated with a blue water-lily (Nymphea caerulea) in relief. The background of the situla ends with a projection recalling the flowering stem.
This remarkable situla is mounted on a high-quality removable metal 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 Égyptiennes au musée royal de Mariemont, (B.500) pp. 206 to 209.
- Condition: Excellent condition, rich in colors (cuprite), small internal repair (very probably antique) and a tiny hole at the back of the jackal-headed genius (see photos).
Shipping: Secure and insured shipment
!!! NO SHIPPING TO THE UNITED STATES !!!
The piece includes:
- A purchase invoice
- A certificate of authenticity
- A removable metal presentation stand
- 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 may 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 organized.
Magnificent situla decorated in strong relief, bronze cast rich in colors (cuprite).
This ritual vessel used for libation of water, milk, or wine, of piriform elongated shape and fitted with two suspension rings, is made up of two registers of mythological scenes, and a carrying part bearing an inscription in hieroglyphs mentioning the name of the commissioner of the piece and that of his parents.
The upper part, bearing hieroglyphic inscriptions translated as follows:
- "May Isis grant life, health, long life and a long old age to Pen-Iah, son of Ir-Hepou the elder, born of Ta-Sheryt-Ta-Shepet."
- "Amon-Rê-Kamoutef."
¹ Pen-Iah is the commissioner of the situla.
² The signs being quite faded, reading 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 probably the commissioner of the piece, "Pen-Iah", paying homage to a theory of gods; opposite him a large lotus flower is placed on a stand.
Facing the stand and opening the procession is the ithyphallic god Amon (Amenopet), who personifies the forces of renewal of life. He is followed by the gods Horus (in his form of Harpocrates, Horus the Child), Isis-Hathor, Nefertoum and Sekhmet. The last three hold in their right hand 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 this panel, three jackal-headed geniuses, and on the right, three falcon-headed geniuses, the souls of Pe and Nekhen, adore the child god.
The lower part of the situla is decorated with a blue water-lily (Nymphea caerulea) in relief. The background of the situla ends with a projection recalling the flowering stem.
This remarkable situla is mounted on a high-quality removable metal 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 Égyptiennes au musée royal de Mariemont, (B.500) pp. 206 to 209.
- Condition: Excellent condition, rich in colors (cuprite), small internal repair (very probably antique) and a tiny hole at the back of the jackal-headed genius (see photos).
Shipping: Secure and insured shipment
!!! NO SHIPPING TO THE UNITED STATES !!!
The piece includes:
- A purchase invoice
- A certificate of authenticity
- A removable metal presentation stand
- 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 may 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 organized.
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.
