Description: Late Period, 664-332 BC. A bronze statuette of Nefertem wearing a striated tripartite wig, uraeus cobra to the brow, false beard and shendyt pleated kilt; to the top of the head a large lotus flower with menat counterpoise amulets to the side; tall plumes to the top; mounted on a custom-made stand. 240 grams, 18.5cm (7 1/4"). From the Meyer family collection, France; acquired by the current owner's father in 1991 from Thierry Lux, who inherited them from his father Joseph Claer; accompanied by a copy of a Joseph Claer biography, the current collection notes, and the original French passport number 147878, dated 9 August 2013. Joseph Claer (born 9/5/1859) lived and worked in Dornach, Switzerland, in the family painting and decorating business. Claer was responsible for the decoration of many of the churches of the upper Rhine area badly damaged during World War I. He was a prolific collector of antiquities and curiosities from around the world and created an important collection which remained largely intact after his death in 1929, with only a small number ending up in museums. This collection consists mainly of wooden and metal statuettes, approximately two hundred stained glass windows, numerous paintings, sketches, engravings, antique fireplaces and furniture. Nefertem was regarded as the son of the creator god Ptah, and the goddess Sekhet, forming the sacred triad of deities worshipped at Memphis. Nefertem was regarded as personifying the lotus flower that appeared from the waters of chaos at the beginning of time, which opened to reveal the young sun-god, Ra. Some of the titles of Nefertem were He Who is Beautiful and Water-Lily of the Sun, and a version of the Book of the Dead says, Rise like Nefertem from the blue water lily, to the nostrils of Ra, and come forth upon the horizon each day. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Condition Report: Fine condition.