LONDON.- A remarkably well-preserved fragment of a monumental quartzite statue from Egypt's fascinating Amarna Period is set to be a star lot at Apollo Art Auctions' sale on January 26th. The piece, dating back to the 18th-19th Dynasty (circa 1351-1334 BC during the reign of Akhenaten), offers a rare glimpse into this transformative era of Egyptian history.



The substantial base fragment, weighing 47.5kg and measuring 380mm x 360mm, depicts a pharaoh kneeling in a gesture of offering. The finely pleated kilt and carefully carved legs demonstrate the exceptional skill of the ancient Egyptian artisans. Experts believe the pharaoh was originally presenting a ritual object to a deity, possibly the god Atum, a prominent solar deity associated with Heliopolis.

A significant inscription on the rear pillar of the fragment reads: "Beloved of Atum, ruler of Heliopolis," further solidifying the connection to this important god and ancient city. The Amarna Period, known for its religious revolution under Akhenaten and its distinctive artistic style, makes this statue particularly significant. The shift to monotheism with the worship of Aten, the sun disk, makes artifacts from this period relatively scarce and highly sought after.



This statue fragment boasts impressive provenance. It was part of the Prince collection from the 1990s to 2014 and was previously held by Galerie Gunter Puhze in 2002. This documented history adds to its value and historical importance.

As with all items sold by Apollo Art Auctions, this piece has been meticulously checked against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter, guaranteeing its authenticity and legal ownership. Furthermore, the fragment is accompanied by a full authentication report from Simone Musso, a consultant curator for Egyptian antiquities at the Stibbert Museum in Florence, Italy, and a member of the Nuri Archaeological Expedition. An additional historical report from Alessandro Neri, an international Cultural Heritage expert based in Florence, Italy, also accompanies the piece.



The auction will take place on January 26th. Collectors and enthusiasts of ancient Egyptian art and history are encouraged to view the full catalog and register to bid on the Apollo Art Auctions website. This is a unique opportunity to acquire a tangible piece of one of the most intriguing periods in ancient Egyptian history.