Pair of Gold Falcon Feet (2)

Pair of Gold Falcon Feet from an Amulet (M810). Ptolemaic Period 1. H. 7.6 mm, L. 13.6 mm, W: 6 mm ;B/ H: 7.9 mm, L: 13 mm., W: 6.2 mm. Solid gold with bituminous remains adhering. Intact and in perfect condition. ex. Moustaki Collection, Charles Ede, London A miniature pair of falcons feet made from solid gold with exceptional detail. Tangs for attachment to an amulet of some other material protrude vertically from the legs. The scaly skin of the bird is perfectly portrayed; a true masterpiece! There is a thin layer of bituminous remains which could mean that this amulet was used in a funerary circumstance. Due to the high quality of the workmanship, one can only imagine what materials the rest of the falcon may have been made of. Moustaki was the head of Barkleys Bank in Alexandria during the 40-50s. The small precious objects of his collection were exported legally as a dowry for his daughter to England in the 50s, where Ede subsequently bought the collection. The daughter answered