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THBEgyptian Late Dynastic Bronze Sekhmet, Lioness Goddess
About Seller
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
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About Auction
LiveMar 9, 2023
Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (413)
- Lot Description
**First Time At Auction**
Egypt, Late Dynastic Period to Ptolemaic period, ca. 664 to 30 BCE. A stunning cast-bronze statue of Sekhmet (occasionally Sakhmet, literally "the powerful one"), the lioness-headed goddess of war, healing, and the sun. The city of Memphis had a large cult following of Sakhmet with a temple dedicated to the goddess. Here she is seated with one hand raised and may have once held a separate implement. When shown sitting, she usually holds an ankh of life or an instrument known as a sistrum; when standing, she wields a scepter formed from papyrus, the symbol of Lower Egypt. Her name comes from the Egyptian word "Sekhem" which translates to "power" or "might" - indeed Sekhmet is sometimes translated as "Powerful One" or "She who is Powerful." Sekhmet is also mentioned in several spells of The Book of the Dead, discussed as both a creative and a destructive force, but above all, the guardian of Ma'at (balance or justice) who defies evil. Size: 6" H (15.2 cm)
There are several lion-headed goddesses in Egyptian mythology. Before the unification of the two kingdoms, Sekhmet was primarily worshiped in Upper Egypt, and Wadjet was the patron goddess in Lower Egypt. Wadjet was associated with Bast (Bastet), the cat goddess, and therefore sometimes depicted with a lioness head. The iconography of Wadjet, Bastet, and Sekhmet was often merged together, and without context or inscriptions, it is difficult to assign a precise identity to these lioness- headed goddesses. The solar disc and cobra are usually included with depictions of Wadjet, and thus this bronze statue is likely a depiction of Sekhmet.
For a similar example of Sekhmet, please see the Metropolitan Museum of Art's website, accession number: 04.2.424.
Please note that this piece is a dropship item, meaning that it will be shipping from the consignor’s location. All information regarding condition, size, stone identification, and metal content have been provided by the consignor. 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.
Provenance: Private West Hollywood, California, USA collection; ex-private New York, New York, USA collection, thence by descent, acquired from a New York gallery in the 1990s
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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#177332Condition
Softening to facial features as shown and surface abrasions. Dark patina and toning. Great condition. Left hand is pierced for the now missing staff or implement.
- Shipping Info
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