Antiquities

Historic Provenance

Alex Tweedy

19 March 2024

Our inaugural auction of Classical Ancient Art presented a fine range of ancient works of art and sculpture from a number of private collections, including a c. 380 - 343 B.C. Shabti of Horudja excavated by the British archaeologist Flinders Petrie, a 1st century A.D. Roman red jasper applique from the Penicuik House Collection, a 3rd century A.D. Roman marble sarcophagus lid from the collection of the Henryson-Cairds of Cassencarie House, and a 2nd century A.D. Roman bronze of Mars from the collection of the noted French archaeologist Louis-Gabriel Bellon. Here we take a closer look at these standout pieces from our March 2024 auction and their historic provenances.

Classical Ancient Art // Form Through Time

Explore our live online auction, taking place on 21 March 2024 with viewing on Cromwell Place, London.

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Sir John Clerk (1676-1755)

Sir John Clerk, 2nd Baronet, a member of the Royal Society in the early 18th century and a Member of Parliament for Whithorn from 1702 to 1707, was renowned for his antiquarian pursuits and collection. As Baron of the Court of the Exchequer following the Act of Union of 1707, Clerk was entrusted with managing Scotland’s financial affairs. He authored various papers, including “Account of the Stylus of the Ancients and their Different Sorts of Paper” (1731) and “On the Effects of Thunder on Trees and of a Large Deer’s Horns Found in the Heart of an Oak” (1739), published in the Philosophical Transactions. Additionally, he wrote a tract titled “Dissertatio de Quibusdam Monumentis Romanis” in 1730.

Clerk, passionate about classical learning and Greek and Roman antiquities, amassed a collection that was highly regarded in his time. Clerk noted in his diary: “I had applied much to classical learning, and had more than ordinary inclination for Greek and Roman Antiquities.” Alexander Gordon, a contemporary of Clerk’s, noted “among all the collections of Roman antiquities in Scotland, that of Baron Clerk claims the preference, both as to number and curiosity.”

ROMAN RED JASPER APPLIQUE IN THE FORM OF AN ACTOR'S MASK

1ST CENTURY A.D.
The present piece is presented as property from Penicuik House, Midlothian, and was acquired by either Sir John Clerk, 2nd Baronet of Penicuik (1676-1755), or his son Sir James Clerk, 3rd Baronet of Penicuik (1709-1783).

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Sir (William Matthew) Flinders Petrie (1853 - 1942) at Abydos

Petrie, born in 1853, was a pivotal figure in the field of archaeology, and was particularly renowned for his work in Egypt. The excavations at Hawara are particularly famed for the discovery of the Fayyum Portraits, a large collection of ancient Roman-Egyptian funerary portraits dating back to the 1st century A.D. These lifelike portraits were found covering the faces of mummies and are considered some of the finest examples of Roman-Egyptian art.

Also uncovered was the tomb of Horudja, a priest of the goddess Neith during the 30th Dynasty (380-343 B.C.). Petrie found nearly 400 shabtis belonging to Horudja, distributed between two niches at either end of the sarcophagus, with the present example an exceptional surviving example of the shabti makers craft.

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN SHABTI OF HORUDJA

30TH DYNASTY, C. 380 - 343 B.C.
Shabtis, known also as “answerer figures”, were placed in a tomb so the owner’s spirit would not have to perform manual labour in the afterlife. They were often inscribed with chapter 6 of the Book of the Dead, the shabti text, a spell that compels the shabti to substitute itself if the owner is asked to till the fields, irrigate the land, or transport sand from east to west.
The present example is notable for having been excavated by the British archaeologist Flinders Petrie at Hawara in 1888.

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Sir James Caird MP (1816-1892)

Sir James Caird was a British politician who served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for many years. He represented the Glasgow and then the Central Division of Glasgow constituencies from 1885 to 1916. Caird was a prominent figure in the Liberal Party, known for his advocacy of social reforms and his support for free trade policies. He played a significant role in shaping legislation related to labor rights and welfare during his parliamentary career. Caird’s contributions to politics and social reform earned him respect and recognition both within his party and across the political spectrum.

ROMAN MARBLE SARCOPHAGUS LID

EARLY 3RD CENTURY A.D.
The present piece is known to have resided in the collection of the Henryson-Cairds of Cassencarie House, Kirkcudbrightshire since the late 19th century. It it was acquired by Sir James Caird prior to 1892. A photo is provided of the piece on display in the Hall of Arcaded Apartment in Cassencarie House, taken in August 1958.

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Louis- Gabriel Bellon (1819-1899)

Louis-Gabriel Bellon was a French archaeologist, painter, and collector, who assembled one of the most extensive collections of ancient Greek and Roman works in 19th-century Europe. Following Louis-Gabriel Bellon's passing, a significant portion of his collection found a home in a purpose-built museum located in Bellon’s birthplace of Saint Nicolas-lez-Arras. Unfortunately, the museum was destroyed during the First World War and his collection was retained by his family throughout the 20th century.

A number of pieces from his collection now reside in major institutions, including the British Museum and the Louvre.

ROMAN BRONZE STATUE OF MARS

C. 2ND CENTURY A.D.
This impressive Roman bronze figure of Mars is heavily influenced by depictions of Alexander the Great. It originates from the collection of Louis-Gabriel Bellon.

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Illustrated top: Sir (William Matthew) Flinders Petrie at Abydos. Image courtesy of The Smithsonian Collection