A Princess in Black Diorite

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

At the auction room Drouot in Paris, a princess (or goddess) in black diorite is the most courted lot of the beginning of the year. As early as November 7, we saw it in an advertisement appearing in La Gazette de l'Hôtel Drouot. It was then presented on a cover of this weekly magazine, and in the websites Drouot Presse and Drouot.

It is an outstanding bust of 47 cm high, dating from the end of the Ptolemy Dynasty, 2050 or 2100 years ago. Remember that this dynasty is the link between Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar. Founded by a general of the former, it did not survive the wars of the latter. This period was magnificent for arts and literature.

The diorite was very popular in the sculpture of the ancient Egyptians. It enabled a very fine carving, and many items in this material are very well preserved. It is not quite the case for our princess, who lost her nose. The rest of the face and breasts, beautifully polished, are contrasting dramatically with the detailed carving of the wig.

Presented at Lot 194 by the auction house PIASA in the sale of Archeology organized by Pierre Bergé et Associés on January 17, it is estimated 300 K €. Without further research on this topic, it seems to me that this beautiful statue is of exceptional size in its category. I hope it reaches a significant price.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

The Princess of Egypt achieved an excellent result: 500 K € before fees.

At the same price of 500 K € before fees in the same sale, there was a marble statue of Aphrodite 69 cm high, Roman art from a Greek model.