An Egyptian Flint in the Form of a Bird
Sale 1099 - Ancient Art & Natural History: A Cabinet of Curiosities
Nov 10, 2022
10:00AM CT
Live / Chicago
Estimate
$1,000 -
$1,500
Sold for $625
Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium
Lot Description
An Egyptian Flint in the Form of a Bird
Predynastic Period, 3500-3300 B.C.
Length 1 1/4 inches (3.2 cm).
Property from a Florida Private Collection
Provenance:
Arielle Kozloff, Cleveland.
Acquired by the present owner from the above, 16 August 2010.
According to Egyptologist, Arielle Kozloff, "This little flint is most likely an early amulet, and belongs to a group of four, the other three having been in the Mildenberg collection. It is very rare for early flints to be formed in identifiable shapes, and this group probably represents a small sacred hoard." This revelation suggests that the ancient Egyptians utilized flints, like this example, as amulets rather than tools.
For comparative examples of a flint in the form of a bird dating from the Predynastic Period, see the Cleveland Art Museum, Cleveland (Inv. no. 1995.40) and A.S. Walker, Animals in Ancient Art from the Leo Mildenberg Collection, Mainz, 1785, vol. III, p. 55, figs. 79a, 79b, and 79c.
Acquired by the present owner from the above, 16 August 2010.
According to Egyptologist, Arielle Kozloff, "This little flint is most likely an early amulet, and belongs to a group of four, the other three having been in the Mildenberg collection. It is very rare for early flints to be formed in identifiable shapes, and this group probably represents a small sacred hoard." This revelation suggests that the ancient Egyptians utilized flints, like this example, as amulets rather than tools.
For comparative examples of a flint in the form of a bird dating from the Predynastic Period, see the Cleveland Art Museum, Cleveland (Inv. no. 1995.40) and A.S. Walker, Animals in Ancient Art from the Leo Mildenberg Collection, Mainz, 1785, vol. III, p. 55, figs. 79a, 79b, and 79c.
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