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An Egyptian indurated limestone figure of Taweret image 1
An Egyptian indurated limestone figure of Taweret image 2
An Egyptian indurated limestone figure of Taweret image 3
Various Properties
Lot 24

An Egyptian indurated limestone figure of Taweret

1 December 2020, 11:00 GMT
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £8,925 inc. premium

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An Egyptian indurated limestone figure of Taweret
Late Period, circa 664-332 B.C.
The hippopotamus-headed goddess wearing a finely striped tripartite wig, carved with gaping mouth, small bulbous eyes and finely arched brows, depicted with pendulous breasts and pregnant stomach, the back pillar in the form of a finely incised crocodile tail, 9cm high

Footnotes

Provenance:
M.B. collection, France, acquired prior to 1983.
London art market, 2014.

Taweret was believed to protect women in pregnancy and childbirth, and to ensure the health of children. The goddess frightened away evil spirits with her apotropaic qualities, as she physically combined fearful aspects of beasts, including the head and body of a hippopotamus, the tail of a crocodile and the paws of a lion, with fertile features such as a swollen pregnant belly and pendulous breasts.

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