Ancient Egyptian Inlaid Bronze Sarcophagus Eyes

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Fine Antiquities, Asian, Ethno, Fine Art

By Artemis Fine Arts

May 1, 2025

Set Reminder 2025-05-01 10:00:00 2025-05-01 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Fine Antiquities, Asian, Ethno, Fine Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-antiquities-asian-ethno-fine-art-19334
Showcasing an extraordinary array of artifacts and art, including Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Asian, Pre-Columbian, Native American, Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial treasures, fossils, fine and visual arts, and more! All ancient items are ethically sourced and legally available for sale. Enjoy the ease of in-house shipping for a seamless experience! Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisfinearts.com

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• Lot Description
  Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, 26th to 31st Dynasty, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. A striking pair of inlaid eyes from a sarcophagus mask, all that remains of what was once a full wooden funerary face, now lost to time and decay. Each eye is framed in bronze with intense presence, featuring white sclera crafted from shell and deep blue pupils formed from blue sodalite stone. These expressive inlays would have once imbued the mask with a powerful gaze, meant to serve the deceased in the afterlife. Eyes held profound symbolic and functional importance in ancient Egyptian funerary tradition. On sarcophagi, they were often complemented by painted eyes or paired with symbols of eternity, forming a visual and spiritual motif of enduring vision and protection. These eyes were believed to serve as a window to the outside world, allowing the mummified individual to see even in death - a vital aspect of maintaining awareness and presence in the afterlife. Size: 3.2" L x 0.6" W (8.1 cm x 1.5 cm)
  
  Provenance: ex-T.F. Holy Lands collection, formed since the 1960s; ex-private London, UK collection, 1970s
  
  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.
  
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  #193203

  Condition

  Nicks and abrasions to the bronze and green patina throughout, staining to the white shell area.
• Shipping Info

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