Lot 1778
A Lion and a "False Doors," Carved in Stone. Egypt, Ptolemaic and Roman Periods, c. 200 BC. - 200 AD. The earliest are the "doors," which are a small tablet carved in limestone, showing two simple panel doors, flanked by two stepped pillars, all beneath a triangular and carinated pediment. Some chipping to the bottom of the tablet, but overall nicely preserved, with remains of the original green paint clearly evident in the pediment and base beneath the doors, and faint ocher on one pillar. Surviving miniature Ptolemaic doors, such as these, are rare. Accompanying this is a charming recumbent lion, Roman, in a crystalline alabaster or marble. Simply, but neatly modeled, and well detailed, the lion (likely an amulet) lays on a rectangular plinth, with paws forward and head erect. Lion's forepaws and leading edge of base are missing, otherwise lion intact, with scattered chips over base. Amulets of this type became popular in the Late Period, and were protective to the wearer. Size of Door: 3-7/8" x 2-1/2"; Lion: 1-1/2" x 2". Lot of 2 items.
Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,500.
In almost every temple and tomb in Ancient Egypt simple niches were carved to look like doorways set in solid walls. While no rooms lay immediately behind them, they were frequently aligned with the inner chambers of the structure. These "false doors," as Egyptologists have come to call them, were magical portals between the world of the living and that of the dead. They allowed the Ka, or spirit, of the deceased to leave the burial chamber and enjoy the offerings and ritual nourishment left by the priests and family members that was indispensable to existence of the Ka after the death of its body. False doors were also used in temples to facilitate contact between mortals and the gods. For similar reasons, false doors were painted on the sides of coffins as well as on the cabinets holding the magical servants known as "ushabtis".
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