Recent auction in London sells Egyptian antiquities

CAIRO - 9 July 2017: An auction has been held by Bonhas Auction House in New Bond Street in London, which sold Egyptian antiquities on July 6-7.

Among the sold antiquities was an Egyptian black stone pair statue dating back to the Middle Kingdom in the late 12th Dynasty in 1800 B.C. The statue, sold for £18,750 ($24,178) in the auction, depicts a married couple where the husband is wearing a short striated wig and long skirt; the couple is supported by a plain back pillar, according to a statement by Bonhams Auctions Home.

Another antiquity that was sold was a large Egyptian wood mummy mask dating back to the New Kingdom in the 18th Dynasty in the period between 1550-1295 B.C; the mummy mask was wearing a tripartite wig and a false beard and sold for £116,500.

The mask is accompanied with a copy of a photo of William Oldman who lived until 1928; the mask was acquired by Lady Franklin in Egypt in 1834.

An Egyptian granite head of a priest was also sold for £137,000 on July 6. The head dates back to the Late Period of 26th Dynasty in 610-525 B.C. featuring a shaven head and a smile, the priest’s head was naturally carved to reach 16 centimeters high.

The antiquity was first acquired by Nicolas Koutoulakis prior to 1958 where he held a private collection.

The head belongs to a well-know category of sculptures referred to as the egg-head type where they portray priests of religious cults who are instantly recognized by their shaven heads.