Rare Amarna sculpture to be auctioned at Sotheby
A fragmentary statue of an Amarna princess from ancient Egypt is expected to garner between $400,000 and $600,000 (US) at an upcoming Sotheby’s auction in New York.
The sculpture (ca. 1347-1345 B.C.) measures 34.3 cm (13 1/2 in.) in height. It was carved from nummulitic limestone, a hard material composed largely of fossils dating from the Eocene Epoch (57.8 to 36.6 million years ago) and found abundantly in the Sahara Desert. The work most definitely comes from Akhetaten (modern-day Tell el-Amarna).
The sculpture probably represents either Meretaten or Meketaten, one of six daughters sired by Akhenaten and Nefertiti, the pharaoh’s beguilingly beautiful queen. What remains of the princess’ right arm is tucked under her breasts. A hand resting on her right shoulder suggests that the statue was once part of a larger composition, the princess’ sister presumably having once stood directly to her left. The sculptor’s emphasis on the girl’s pronounced pubic mound, most likely an overt reference to fertility and creation, is consonant with similar works from the same period.
Surprisingly affordable genuine antiquities
There have always been collectors of antiquities, especially when you consider the status of having a marble bust of a Roman emperor greeting your guests in the foyer.
By the 17th century the art of ancient Egypt was discovered and again students and collectors got involved. By the late 19th century British excavations stirred the interest of tourists and collectors alike. Hundreds purchased small artifacts, usually small figures and pottery sold to them as antiquities by mysterious Egyptian street vendors and shop keepers. Especially popular were amulets of Isis and Ra in blue faience. They still turn up at shows and auctions.
I know it sounds unbelievable that it is possible to pay as little as $200 for a small Egyptian station (954-853 B.C.) or a Neolithic painted pottery jar c. 2000 B.C. or a free blown amber marbled glass flask c. 1st century A.D. for $1,000/$2,000.
Surprisingly the answer is yes because they aren’t very rare. According to Bill Gage, in the expert department of James Julia Auctions, they turn up regularly at auction. “They are still digging it up and it was untouched for 2,000 years.”
Excerpted from an article by Anne Gilbert for Pioneer Local
