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Antiquities and Pre-Columbian Art: Expressions of the Past
|
- Sale 2069
Live
| Chicago
Nov 21 | 10:00 AM CST
Live
| Chicago
Sale 2069
| Chicago
| Chicago
Estimate$3,000 – $5,000
Provenance:
Private Collection, England, Late 19th Century (based on mounting techniques). [Inv. no. 837]
Alice Tully (1902-1991), New York.
Ancient World Arts, Ltd., New York, prior to 1995.
Acquired by the present owner from the above, 23 March 1995.
This intriguing fragment features the cartouche of Queen Nefertiti, the illustrious consort of Akhenaten, whose reign marked a pivotal moment in ancient Egyptian history. The cartouche, inscribed with "Nefer-nefru-aten Nefertiti," is accompanied by hieroglyphs that translate to "Daughter of the King," suggesting the fragment may have originally belonged to a larger scene depicting members of the royal family.
While the provenance remains challenging to fully authenticate, it is suggested that the piece may have been excavated at Tel-el-Amarna during the pioneering excavations led by W. M. Flinders Petrie in the early 1890s. The connection to Lord Tyssen-Amherst, a notable figure in 20th-century Egyptian collecting, is also of interest, as his collection included fragments with the same cartouche referenced by F. Petrie in multiple publications (Tell-el-Amarna, 1984), and was sold in 1921 (Sotheby's, London, Catalogue of the Amherst Collection of Egyptian and Oriental Antiquities, 13-17 June 1921, Lot 182).
Inspected under UV light and 10x loupe. Some white mineral deposits. Areas of encrustation darker patination. Some splits and breaks that have been repaired, notably at proper top left top corner. Mounted in old wood display setting with some age splits and loose sections. Mount with modern acrylic strip for standing. Overall in fine and attractive condition. See additional images. Frame 7 3/4 x 5 inches (19.69 x 12.7 cm).
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