Egyptian Late Dynastic Leaded Bronze Flail / Flagellum
**First Time At Auction**
Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, 26th to 31st Dynasty, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. This is an interesting piece of Egyptian symbolism, a cast leaded-bronze implement known as a flail, flagellum, or nekhakh. The flail was likely based off an agricultural harvesting or sheep herding tool to symbolize harvests and fertility. This stylized flail resembles a fly swatter, with three segments or strings hanging from the tip strung with cylindrical and drop shaped pieces. The flail came to be associated with the gods, particularly the god of the underworld, Osiris, and thereby the deceased. Pharaohs adopted the flail symbolism to demonstrate their godly lineage and the ability to provide and care for their people. The flail is often held by cult statues or ushabti, and this piece may have been cast separately and nestled into a clenched fist of such a statue. Size: 3" L x 2.75" W (7.6 cm x 7 cm)
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#140412
Condition Report: Loss to tip of one strand, otherwise intact. Some light mineral deposits and surface pitting. Rich green patina.
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**First Time At Auction**
Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, 26th to 31st Dynasty, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. This is an interesting piece of Egyptian symbolism, a cast leaded-bronze implement known as a flail, flagellum, or nekhakh. The flail was likely based off an agricultural harvesting or sheep herding tool to symbolize harvests and fertility. This stylized flail resembles a fly swatter, with three segments or strings hanging from the tip strung with cylindrical and drop shaped pieces. The flail came to be associated with the gods, particularly the god of the underworld, Osiris, and thereby the deceased. Pharaohs adopted the flail symbolism to demonstrate their godly lineage and the ability to provide and care for their people. The flail is often held by cult statues or ushabti, and this piece may have been cast separately and nestled into a clenched fist of such a statue. Size: 3" L x 2.75" W (7.6 cm x 7 cm)
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#140412
Condition Report: Loss to tip of one strand, otherwise intact. Some light mineral deposits and surface pitting. Rich green patina.
Estimate
Time, Location
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