Ancient Egypt, Ptolemaic Limestone Polychrome Relief with Fertility Figure
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Current bid
€ 333
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 2,400 - € 2,900
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 Bidder 1443 | €333 | |
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Polychrome Relief with Fertility Figure, a limestone sculpture from Ancient Egypt, Ptolemaic period (c. 664–31 B.C.), in excellent condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Deeply carved rectangular plaque with central recess, with the finely detailed image of a nude female modelled in the half-round with a deeply striated bag wig, arms by her side. Traces of red and black pigment on the body. Exquisite. Plaques such as this first appeared in Lower Egypt and became widespread in the Late Period and Ptolemaic era. They may have developed from earlier female figurines depicted on beds and are usually associated with the female goddesses Isis and Hathor, both thought to be protectors of women and childbirth and associated with fertility.
Size: 13.4 cm H - 5 1/4 inches
Material: Limestone
Culture: Egypt, Ptolemaic Period, c. 664-31 B.C.
Condition: Part of a larger relief
Display stand included
Provenance: From a central London collection, formed 1980-2000. From the private collection of Mr David Barker, London, UK; thence by descent.
Literature: Cf. Metropolitan Museum of Art inv. no. 23.6.78, for a similar figurine in a shrine niche.
The seller guarantees that this item has been legally acquired & will be legally exported, related documents seen by Catawiki.
This item do not need an export licence within the EU.
The seller will inform the buyer if it needs a UK export licence outside the EU
Worldwide shipping by Registered Mail.
Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity
N.B. Import duties may be incurred on orders shipped to countries outside the UK.
Notice: We are not able to ship to Greece and Cyprus.
Please note our last posting date before the Christmas holidays will be 18th December. Shipping will resume 5th January 2026.
Deeply carved rectangular plaque with central recess, with the finely detailed image of a nude female modelled in the half-round with a deeply striated bag wig, arms by her side. Traces of red and black pigment on the body. Exquisite. Plaques such as this first appeared in Lower Egypt and became widespread in the Late Period and Ptolemaic era. They may have developed from earlier female figurines depicted on beds and are usually associated with the female goddesses Isis and Hathor, both thought to be protectors of women and childbirth and associated with fertility.
Size: 13.4 cm H - 5 1/4 inches
Material: Limestone
Culture: Egypt, Ptolemaic Period, c. 664-31 B.C.
Condition: Part of a larger relief
Display stand included
Provenance: From a central London collection, formed 1980-2000. From the private collection of Mr David Barker, London, UK; thence by descent.
Literature: Cf. Metropolitan Museum of Art inv. no. 23.6.78, for a similar figurine in a shrine niche.
The seller guarantees that this item has been legally acquired & will be legally exported, related documents seen by Catawiki.
This item do not need an export licence within the EU.
The seller will inform the buyer if it needs a UK export licence outside the EU
Worldwide shipping by Registered Mail.
Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity
N.B. Import duties may be incurred on orders shipped to countries outside the UK.
Notice: We are not able to ship to Greece and Cyprus.
Please note our last posting date before the Christmas holidays will be 18th December. Shipping will resume 5th January 2026.
Details
Culture
Ancient Egypt, Ptolemaic
Century/ Timeframe
Egypt, Ptolemaic Period, c. 664-31 B.C.
Name of object
Polychrome Relief with Fertility Figure
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2020
Material
Limestone
Country acquired from
United Kingdom
Condition
Excellent
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
2000
Previous owner - country acquired from
United Kingdom
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
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.
