Interiors & Decorations

Jewellery & Precious Stones

Watches, Pens & Lighters

Fashion

Coins & Stamps

Comics & Animation

Classic Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia

Wine, Whisky & Spirits

Asian & Tribal Art

Trading Cards

Toys & Models

Archaeology & Natural History

Sports

Music, Movies & Cameras

Books & Historical Memorabilia

The finest objects brought to you by {name}

Ruth Garrido Vila

This object represents a tilapia modelled in faience and attributed to Ancient Egypt, specifically the 3rd century BC, a time corresponding to the Ptolemaic Period. Tilapia, a fish that inhabited the Nile, had a strong symbolism in Egyptian culture, associated with regeneration and rebirth due to its reproductive cycle and parental protective behaviour, which linked it to concepts of immortality and rebirth in the afterlife. This symbolism is closely related to divinities such as Hathor and Osiris, who embodied fertility and resurrection.

At first glance, it may seem curious that this piece is referred to as a “vessel” since it does not have any visible opening. However, in the context of Egyptian funerary and ritual art, this is not unusual. Many similar objects were created not so much for a utilitarian function, but as symbolic or votive containers. In this sense, a functional hole was not necessary, since the main purpose was spiritual and representational. In other cases, some vessels were moulded in two sealed parts, hiding their sacred contents inside. This could indicate that the piece housed amulets, sacred essences or small ritual objects intended to protect or guide the deceased in the afterlife.

The modelling of the tilapia presents a remarkable anatomical realism, with minute details in the scales, fins and open mouth, characteristics that reflect advanced artisanal skill. This realism not only denotes technical mastery, but also reinforces the cultural authenticity of the object, since Egyptian art sought a faithful representation of nature to channel its symbolic power.

The use of faience, a material composed of quartz and vitrified minerals, reinforces its ritual purpose. Faience was used in Ancient Egypt to create shiny and durable objects, associated with the divine and eternity. Although the original colour of this piece may have been blue or green, shades that symbolised the fertility of the Nile and eternal life, it currently exhibits an earthy patina and whitish spots. These characteristics could indicate the crystallisation of salts, a common phenomenon in archaeological objects that have remained buried for centuries, suggesting authenticity.

In terms of conservation, the piece is in good condition, with surface wear that seems to correspond to its age. This type of natural deterioration is consistent with authentic pieces and supports its possible archaeological origin.

This tilapia-shaped vessel probably had a votive or symbolic use. In Egyptian iconography, fish were associated with life, fertility, and regeneration, with tilapia being a symbol of rebirth due to its protective behaviour of the young, evoking the cycle of life and death. In the funerary context, these vessels could be placed in tombs as offerings to ensure resurrection and protection in the afterlife.

During the Ptolemaic Period, numerous votive and ritual objects were produced that fused Egyptian religious traditions with Hellenistic influences. The choice of tilapia not only reflects a continuity in Egyptian symbolism, but also an adaptation of artistic forms to the new cultural influences of the time. Similar pieces have been found in temples and tombs dedicated to Hathor and Osiris, where aquatic iconography evoked the fertility of the Nile and life after death.

In short, this tilapia-shaped “vessel” stands out not only for its artistic quality and detailed realism, but also for its deep symbolic and ritual meaning. Although it does not fulfil the practical functionality of a vessel in the modern sense, its spiritual purpose and symbolic charge make it a significant artefact of the Egyptian worldview. Authenticity seems plausible, but it would be ideal to complement it with scientific studies and comparisons with museum collections for a definitive evaluation.

Acquired from a Spanish private collection, F.C.B in the 70's.
- The piece includes an authenticity certificate. 

The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged, this process can take between 2 and 4 weeks.

IMPORTANT: Due to the new laws on the export of archaeological pieces, we have decided to NO LONGER sell outside the European territory for the following countries: SWITZERLAND & UNITED STATES of AMERICA.
For other destinations out of European territory: all our items will be shipped after obtaining a definitive LICENSE EXPORTATION by the Ministry of Culture of Spain. We inform our clients that it may take between 4-8 weeks. According to Spanish legislation, items sent outside the European Union are subjected to export taxes. The taxes 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 to 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 %.

Please note that for far destination (Asia, middle east etc.. ), there will be an additional cost for the shipping.  


Ptolemaic Period 332-30 B.C

Ancient Egypt Faience Tilapia-shaped container. 18.5 cm. - 9 cm

Archaeology

Reserve price

No reserve price

Buy now

Budget

From

Closing date

Saturday

tomorrow

Sunday

16 April

Friday

Tuesday

26 April

Location

Spain

The Netherlands

Belgium

United Kingdom

Austria

Italy

France

Germany

Poland

Denmark

Czech Republic

United States

Switzerland

Norway

Taiwan

Hong Kong

Lithuania

Ireland

Romania

Dimensions

Height

Width

Depth

Object

Raw mineral

Ring

Carved mineral

Ancient tools

Pendant

Arrow head

Ancient sculptures carvings and figurines

Ancient artwork

Ancient jewellery and beads

Amulet

Tool

Sea shell

Fibula

Taxidermy full body mount

Ancient vessels

Cross

Dice

Sculpture

Coin pendant

Oil lamp

Meteorite

Mirror

Country of origin

Europe

Netherlands

Unknown

Canada

Madagascar

Brazil

Sweden

Dominican Republic

Africa

Greece

Israel

China

Japan

Mexico

Philippines

Material

Bronze

Terracotta

Silver

Glass

Faience

Pottery

Iron

Flint

Gold

Ceramic

Lead

Alabaster

Stone

Marble

Wood

Bone

Steatite

Earthenware

Pewter

Carnelian

Yellow gold

Gilded Bronze

Stoneware

Obsidian

Sandstone

Gender

Women

Condition

Good

Excellent

Very good

Very good condition - slightly used with small signs of wear

Very good +

Fair

Good condition

Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes

Excellent condition - barely used with minimal signs of wear

Good condition - used with some signs of wear

Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

Natural

Good condition - used with small signs of ageing

Fair condition - used with visible signs of wear

Fair condition -  heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing

Poor

As new - unused

Vintage - used with visible signs of wear

Fair condition

Hand carved

Enhanced

Excellent condition

Very poor - showing significant decay, loss of original texture or solidity of the material

Extras

No extra's

Period

Cretaceous, Lower (145 - 100.5 million years)

Independence (1947-present)

Paleogene, Eocene (56 - 33.9 million years)

Devonian, Middle (393.3 - 382.7 million years)

Quaternary, Pleistocene (2.58 - 0.0117 million years)

Devonian (419.2 - 358.9 million years)

1400-1450

2010-2020

2024

1850-1900

Coral

Onyx

Certification

No laboratory report

Non-CITES species

CITES Appendix II - Annex B in the EU

Style

Ancient Roman

Ancient Egyptian

Medieval, Crusaders Era

Viking Era

Ancient Roman, Empire

Ancient Greek

Medieval

Celtic

Neolithic

Bronze Age

Ancient Greek, Hellenistic

Byzantine

Etruscan

Late Roman/Early Byzantine

Post-medieval

Paleolithic

Ancient Egypt, Late Period

Mesopotamian

Western Asiatic

Chalcolithic

Luristan

Bactrian

Ancient Chinese

Renaissance

Ancient Egypt, New Kingdom

Signature

Not signed

Binding

Single page

Language

Latin

Colour

Archaeology

This object is no longer available, but there’s still lots to explore

Ancient Egypt Faience Tilapia-shaped container. 18.5 cm. - 9 cm

Popular in Archaeology

1176 objects

Related collections