Description:

Egypt, New Kingdom to Ptolemaic Period, ca. 1549 to 30 BCE. A finely crafted faience effigy of a Nile tilapia, featuring incised scales, carved gills, and detailed fins. The Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) symbolized fertility, regeneration, and rebirth in ancient Egypt due to its unique reproductive behavior - carrying fertilized eggs in its mouth until they hatched, a trait associated with spontaneous generation. Egyptians also mummified fish, wrapping them in bandages and binding them with palm fiber ropes. Specific regions in the Nile Valley and Delta were tied to particular gods and their associated animal cults, with the tilapia linked to the goddess Hathor and the sun god Re. This figurine may have served as a votive offering or a ritual object. Dimensions: 3" L x 0.75" W x 1.5" H (7.6 cm x 1.9 cm x 3.8 cm).

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection, acquired around 2000

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#190093

  • Condition: Intact and excellent. Nice mineral deposits and encrustations.

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January 9, 2025 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000