Code: 2465
Description: A small but charming amethyst amulet of a crouching sphinx with raised human head wearing a tripartite wig. The stringing hole running through the body from front to back. A small chip to the foot and a nice example.
Size: 12 mm/0.5 in. in height
Culture: Egyptian
Date: Middle Kingdom, c. 2055-1650 B.C.
Provenance: From the collection of Julian Bird (1959-2014).
Background: Julian Bird was a passionate collector of Egyptian antiquities, who built up a fine and extensive collection from the 1970s onwards. He sourced his items mainly from the UK market, from specialist dealers, fairs, markets and auctioneers. He was a model collector, carefully documenting his collection, but we do not have his notes for this particular item.
References: Compare no. 78c in Andrews, C. 1994. Amulets of Ancient Egypt, British Museum Press, London, p. 78, for the type.
