Egyptian treasures grace Melbourne auction

A Cypriot Egyptian copper figurative mirror from the Middle Kingdom period (2030-1640 B.C.) is a major highlight of Kim’s Auctions forthcoming sale from 11am Sunday September 11 at 327-329 Warrigal Road, Burwood.

The mirror, which features in a catalogue released by Sydney-based boutique auction house and consultancy Guy Earl-Smith Art & Antiquities, is accompanied by an x-ray fluorescent report from Oxford X-Ray Fluorescence Ltd in the United Kingdom.

Three other important Egyptian items are included in the sale. One is a Middle Kingdom standing male figure, the second a New Kingdom (1550-1070 B.C.) blue glazed faience Ushabti figure and the third a glazed sandstone ram-headed scarab on a rectangular base from the Nubian-Kushite period (747-656 B.C.).

Auction goers will be enthused with the strong selection of ancient Chinese items including a bronze wine vessel in the shape of a swan, garlic top and rice wine warmer bronze vessels and a currency pair – all from the Han Dynasty (202 B.C.- 220A.D.).

Other Chinese items include pairs of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.) and Ching Dynasty (1800s) figures and a Ming Dynasty figurine of the infant Buddha.

There is a Yunnan province votive bronze drum from the 1^st millennium BC and a pair of Chinese Neolithic clamshells from 1000 years earlier.

Other important Asian items bound to intrigue buyers include an 8^th-9^th century AD Sri Lankan bronze statuette of a Buddhist monk and a finely cast Himalayan bronze figure of Shakyamuni Buddha seated on a lotus flower in Vajrasana.

A Tibetan Thangka depicting Padmapani and four deities in the field, surrounded by silk brocade, is another interesting piece – along with an Indian natural ruby round bead and 18-carat gold plated necklace and 20^th century carving of a seated Buddha using mammoth ivory.

The auction also contains a range of antique furniture, clocks and bronzes including a two-door French display cabinet and early 19^th century hand carved six-branch ormolu candelabra.

Unusual is the 1.75-metre high figure bronze fountain from a Toorak home.