Ancient Egyptian Alabaster Serapis head. 1st - 3rd century AD. 12 cm height.
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Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 7,700 - € 8,800
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Description from the seller
Serapis head.
Ancient Egypt, Roman Period, 1st - 3rd century AD.
Alabaster.
12 cm height, 21 cm with the stand.
Condition: Fragment in good condition.
Provenance: Private collection, France. Acquired before 1970.
Description:
This god is seen in his most habitual representation, as an adult with long hair and beard, a wide tunic covering his entire body and with a cloak over his left shoulder. The attribute which distinguishes images of Serapis from those of other similar gods is the calathus or modius, a sacred basket in myths, and a symbol of abundance. These unite the concept of agricultural fertility, life and death, and were used in Ancient Egyptian art and in the Graeco-Roman world. The modius resembles the round pad worn on the head when transporting and balancing a heavy load there. Scholars chose this name as the piece resembles the Roman modius, a utensil used as a unit of measure for grain.
Ptolemy I, the first Greek ruler of Egypt after the death of Alexander the Great, introduced Serapis as patron of Alexandria and official god of Egypt and Greece, with the aim of unifying both realms. Ptolemy’s intention was, most probably, to find a god that could gain the respect and veneration of both the Hellenic people and the intensely traditional Egyptians. It is unlikely that the Greeks would have accepted an animal-headed god in the Egyptian style, while the Egyptians would have been open to accepting other depictions of this god. A typical Greek icon was therefore chosen, which was proclaimed to be the anthropomorphic equivalent of the venerated Egyptian Apis bull united with Osiris. In this manner Serapis was a syncretic deity around whom cultural practices of distinct origins were combined.
Notes:
- The piece includes authenticity certificate.
- The piece includes Spanish Export License (Passport for European Union) - If the piece is destined outside the European Union a substitution of the export permit should be requested, can take between 1-2 weeks maximum.
- The seller guarantees that he acquired this piece according to all national and international laws related to the ownership of cultural property. Provenance statement seen by Catawiki.
Seller's Story
Gallery of Ancient Art - Archeology based in Barcelona with more than fifteen years of experience. Specialized in classical art, Egyptian art, Asian art and pre-Columbian art. It guarantees the authenticity of all its pieces. It participates in the most important art fairs in Spain, such as Feriarte, as well as in fairs abroad, BRAFA, Parcours des Mondes, Cultures Brussels.
All the pieces are sent with an Export Permit issued by the Spanish Ministry of Culture.
We are quick to ship via DHL Express or Direct Art Transport.
Translated by Google TranslateSerapis head.
Ancient Egypt, Roman Period, 1st - 3rd century AD.
Alabaster.
12 cm height, 21 cm with the stand.
Condition: Fragment in good condition.
Provenance: Private collection, France. Acquired before 1970.
Description:
This god is seen in his most habitual representation, as an adult with long hair and beard, a wide tunic covering his entire body and with a cloak over his left shoulder. The attribute which distinguishes images of Serapis from those of other similar gods is the calathus or modius, a sacred basket in myths, and a symbol of abundance. These unite the concept of agricultural fertility, life and death, and were used in Ancient Egyptian art and in the Graeco-Roman world. The modius resembles the round pad worn on the head when transporting and balancing a heavy load there. Scholars chose this name as the piece resembles the Roman modius, a utensil used as a unit of measure for grain.
Ptolemy I, the first Greek ruler of Egypt after the death of Alexander the Great, introduced Serapis as patron of Alexandria and official god of Egypt and Greece, with the aim of unifying both realms. Ptolemy’s intention was, most probably, to find a god that could gain the respect and veneration of both the Hellenic people and the intensely traditional Egyptians. It is unlikely that the Greeks would have accepted an animal-headed god in the Egyptian style, while the Egyptians would have been open to accepting other depictions of this god. A typical Greek icon was therefore chosen, which was proclaimed to be the anthropomorphic equivalent of the venerated Egyptian Apis bull united with Osiris. In this manner Serapis was a syncretic deity around whom cultural practices of distinct origins were combined.
Notes:
- The piece includes authenticity certificate.
- The piece includes Spanish Export License (Passport for European Union) - If the piece is destined outside the European Union a substitution of the export permit should be requested, can take between 1-2 weeks maximum.
- The seller guarantees that he acquired this piece according to all national and international laws related to the ownership of cultural property. Provenance statement seen by Catawiki.
Seller's Story
Gallery of Ancient Art - Archeology based in Barcelona with more than fifteen years of experience. Specialized in classical art, Egyptian art, Asian art and pre-Columbian art. It guarantees the authenticity of all its pieces. It participates in the most important art fairs in Spain, such as Feriarte, as well as in fairs abroad, BRAFA, Parcours des Mondes, Cultures Brussels.
All the pieces are sent with an Export Permit issued by the Spanish Ministry of Culture.
We are quick to ship via DHL Express or Direct Art Transport.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Ancient Egyptian
Century/ Timeframe
Roman Period, 1st - 3rd century AD
Name of object
Serapis head. 1st - 3rd century AD. 12 cm height.
Acquired from
Private collection
Material
Alabaster
Condition
Good
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.
