Ancient Egyptian Schist God Oxyrhynchos Fish. 11 cm L. Published. Christie's. Late Period 664 - 332 BC
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€ 250
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Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 4,900 - € 5,500
 | €250 |
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Ancient Egyptian schist figure of the Oxyrhynchos fish, 11 cm long, Late Period (664–332 BC), original and published by Christie's, in good condition.
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Description from the seller
EGYPTIAN FIGURE OF OXYRHYNCHOS FISH
Ancient Egypt, Late Period, 664-332 B.C .
Schist
17,5 cm Large
Provenance: Private collection, H., Hossegor, France. Acquired in a Christie's Auction (see label), private collection, Paris, 1970-60s.
Published: Millon & Associes, 21 May 2008, Archeologie, lot 200.
Condition: Very good, intact.
His is one of the most remarkable representations I have ever seen of the Oxyrhynchus fish. The animal is depicted in its typical form, with a distinctive elongated, downturned snout and equally distinctive bifurcated tail. The fish is wearing a headdress with frontal uraeus, surmounted by a solar disc between cow’s horns, the crown of the goddess Hathor, to whom the fish was sacred. The animal has a suspension loop behind and a long, thin dorsal fin which terminates in the tail. Its deeply recessed eyes were possibly once inlaid (cornserve an original inlay in one eye). The fish is perched on a sled with two papyrus columns, attached by means of the lower fins, tail and curved end of the base where it joins the mouth. The whole statuette has a rectangular base with two tangs for attachment.
There are two features that makes this representation so special. First there is a stunningly beautiful detailing of the animal's skin. The scales are very finely incised; it has been suggested that in view of this quality, the body of the fish may have been gilded. Equally well detailed are the collar, the gills and striations on the top and tail fins.
The ancient Upper Egyptian town Per-Medjed (modern el-Bahnasa) was the capital of the 19th Upper Egyptian nome. It was called Oxyrhynchos Polis by the Greeks, which means "Town of the sharp-snouted fish". This refers to a species of fish that lived in the Nile and that, according to mythology, ate the penis / phallus of Osiris after the dismemberment of this god by his brother Seth. It has been debated which species of fish it is, and there is some consensus that it is a species of mormyrus.
According to Greek historian Plutarchos (1st-2nd century C.E.) the inhabitants of Oxyrhynchos and those of a neighbouring town called Kynopolis ("Town of the Dog") were engaged in hostilities because a person from the latter town ate a sacred fish, after which the inhabitants of Oxyrhynchos started catching and eating dogs; this resulted in a civil war which had to be ended by the Romans (De Iside et Osiride, 72).
Literature:
For similar examples with a loop, balanced on a sled or an integral base, see: Arielle P. Kozloff, Animals in Ancient Art from the Leo Mildenberg Collection (Mainz am Rhein, Philipp von Zabern, 1981), fig. 60; Emma Brunner-Traut - Hellmut Brunner - Johanna Zick-Nissen, Osiris, Kreuz und Halbmond. Die Drei Religionen Ägyptens (Mainz am Rhein, Philipp von Zabern, 1984), fig. 16.
Seller's Story
IMPORTANT NOTES:
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- All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiques over 100 years old and their price valued.
- For shipping outside of EU: Delivery time subject to customs clearance. Liability and Customs Regulations or Import Requirements applicable in the destination country are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We are not responsible for delays caused by customs procedures. Import taxes and vat are not included in the shipping costs. The import tax or VAT payable depends on the country of destination. Payments of any taxes or any disputes with the Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer.
- For some of the items offered, for shipment outside the European Union it is necessary to obtain an Export Permit which will detail the payment by the buyer of Export Fees according to Spanish legislation. If it is necessary it will be mentioned in the description of the article, BECAUSE NOT IN ALL THE CASES IT IS LIKE THAT. These fees will be added to the invoice, at the buyer's expense. These export fees are fixed on the final auction price and the tax rate is not applied directly on the total value of the item to be exported, but rather the different percentages by sections are applied to it: Up to 6,000 euros: 5%. From 6,001 to 60,000 euros: 10%.
This export permit application process can take between 1-2 months maximum.
- We guarantee that he acquired this piece according to all national and international laws related to the ownership of cultural property.
Translated by Google TranslateEGYPTIAN FIGURE OF OXYRHYNCHOS FISH
Ancient Egypt, Late Period, 664-332 B.C .
Schist
17,5 cm Large
Provenance: Private collection, H., Hossegor, France. Acquired in a Christie's Auction (see label), private collection, Paris, 1970-60s.
Published: Millon & Associes, 21 May 2008, Archeologie, lot 200.
Condition: Very good, intact.
His is one of the most remarkable representations I have ever seen of the Oxyrhynchus fish. The animal is depicted in its typical form, with a distinctive elongated, downturned snout and equally distinctive bifurcated tail. The fish is wearing a headdress with frontal uraeus, surmounted by a solar disc between cow’s horns, the crown of the goddess Hathor, to whom the fish was sacred. The animal has a suspension loop behind and a long, thin dorsal fin which terminates in the tail. Its deeply recessed eyes were possibly once inlaid (cornserve an original inlay in one eye). The fish is perched on a sled with two papyrus columns, attached by means of the lower fins, tail and curved end of the base where it joins the mouth. The whole statuette has a rectangular base with two tangs for attachment.
There are two features that makes this representation so special. First there is a stunningly beautiful detailing of the animal's skin. The scales are very finely incised; it has been suggested that in view of this quality, the body of the fish may have been gilded. Equally well detailed are the collar, the gills and striations on the top and tail fins.
The ancient Upper Egyptian town Per-Medjed (modern el-Bahnasa) was the capital of the 19th Upper Egyptian nome. It was called Oxyrhynchos Polis by the Greeks, which means "Town of the sharp-snouted fish". This refers to a species of fish that lived in the Nile and that, according to mythology, ate the penis / phallus of Osiris after the dismemberment of this god by his brother Seth. It has been debated which species of fish it is, and there is some consensus that it is a species of mormyrus.
According to Greek historian Plutarchos (1st-2nd century C.E.) the inhabitants of Oxyrhynchos and those of a neighbouring town called Kynopolis ("Town of the Dog") were engaged in hostilities because a person from the latter town ate a sacred fish, after which the inhabitants of Oxyrhynchos started catching and eating dogs; this resulted in a civil war which had to be ended by the Romans (De Iside et Osiride, 72).
Literature:
For similar examples with a loop, balanced on a sled or an integral base, see: Arielle P. Kozloff, Animals in Ancient Art from the Leo Mildenberg Collection (Mainz am Rhein, Philipp von Zabern, 1981), fig. 60; Emma Brunner-Traut - Hellmut Brunner - Johanna Zick-Nissen, Osiris, Kreuz und Halbmond. Die Drei Religionen Ägyptens (Mainz am Rhein, Philipp von Zabern, 1984), fig. 16.
Seller's Story
IMPORTANT NOTES:
-We are a professional seller.
- All items sold will come with their professional invoice.
- All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity (warranty document), including the description, image and provenance of the item.
- All items will be shipped via private courier with insurance (DHL express, CORREOS of Spain, or other similar with tracking number).
- All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiques over 100 years old and their price valued.
- For shipping outside of EU: Delivery time subject to customs clearance. Liability and Customs Regulations or Import Requirements applicable in the destination country are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We are not responsible for delays caused by customs procedures. Import taxes and vat are not included in the shipping costs. The import tax or VAT payable depends on the country of destination. Payments of any taxes or any disputes with the Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer.
- For some of the items offered, for shipment outside the European Union it is necessary to obtain an Export Permit which will detail the payment by the buyer of Export Fees according to Spanish legislation. If it is necessary it will be mentioned in the description of the article, BECAUSE NOT IN ALL THE CASES IT IS LIKE THAT. These fees will be added to the invoice, at the buyer's expense. These export fees are fixed on the final auction price and the tax rate is not applied directly on the total value of the item to be exported, but rather the different percentages by sections are applied to it: Up to 6,000 euros: 5%. From 6,001 to 60,000 euros: 10%.
This export permit application process can take between 1-2 months maximum.
- We guarantee that he acquired this piece according to all national and international laws related to the ownership of cultural property.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Ancient Egyptian
Century/timeframe
Late Period 664-332 B.C .
Name of object
God Oxyrhynchos Fish. 11 cm L. Published. Christie's. Late Period 664 - 332 BC
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
Schist
Country acquired from
France
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1980
Previous owner - country acquired from
France
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
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.
