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Peter Reynaers

An Ancient Egyptian silver amulet in the form of a fly with its wings open. The body of the fly is triangular in shape with a rounded wing on each side. The anatomical details of the insect are carefully outlined, including two bulging eyes, vertical lines on the body and wings. The reverse is flat and unadorned, and two horizontal perforations have been added to the top, through the head and body, for suspension. Earthy encrustations and tarnishing to the surface. Signs of wear as consistent with age, such as minor scratches and some chipping.

The purpose of such fly amulets is uncertain; scholars have different hypotheses regarding this symbol. Some believe it was awarded for military achievement because of the fly’s resemblance to enemies’ persistence at war and also because of the fly’s tendency to hang around battlefields where blood was shed. Others do not agree entirely with this thesis as samples of fly amulets have been found in women’s and butlers’ tombs, individuals not active in war. One other possible intention of this amulet was to bestow the notorious fecundity of the fly to the wearer. However uncertain the significance of this symbol is, the fly also appears in many ancient neighbouring cultures, from Nubia to Cyprus.

Measurements: (circa) L 2.1cm x W 1.4cm

Provenance: Ex UK Collection 1920s-1940s

Circa 2nd - 1st Millenium BC - Unknown

Ancient Egyptian Silver Fly Amulet  (No Reserve Price)

Archaeology

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3 March

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Extras

Stand

Certificate

Period

1960-1970

1950-1960

1940-1950

Cretaceous, Lower (145 - 100.5 million years)

1800-1850

2025

18th century

1st Chinese domination (111 BC–40 AD)

Five Dynasties (907-960)

Independence (1947-present)

Tang Dynasty (618-907)

1970-1980

1980-1990

Quaternary, Pleistocene (2.58 - 0.0117 million years)

Neogene, Pliocene (5.33 - 2.58 million years)

Jurassic, Lower (201.3 - 174.1 million years)

Paleogene (66 - 23.03 million years)

Ordovician (485.4 - 443.8 million years)

1500-1550

1650-1700

2020+

Certification

No laboratory report

CITES Appendix II - Annex B in the EU

Subject

Roman mythological figures

Aphrodite

Egyptian mythological figures

Thoth

Hathor

Venus

Zababa

Eye of Horus

Style

Ancient Roman

Medieval, Crusaders Era

Viking Era

Ancient Egyptian

Ancient Roman, Empire

Bronze Age

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Neolithic

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Byzantine

Archaeology

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Ancient Egyptian Silver Fly Amulet (No Reserve Price)

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