A Bronze Figure of the Horus Falcon, 26th Dynasty, 664-525 B.C.

standing with wings crossed over the tail feathers, and wearing an engraved necklace with heart amulet pendant and the crown of Upper and Lower Egypt, the inserted spiral missing, the head with finely modeled hooked beak and convex eyes, the feathers and other features carefully detailed, a square hole for insertion of the mummy underneath, the talons restored.

Béla Desco Hein (1883-1931), Paris
Hôtel Drouot, Paris, Fraysse & Associés, June 6th, 2007, no. 182, illus.

talons restored and spiral missing as described, otherwise good, surface somewhat worn overall but not enough to obscure incised detail, tail more worn than the rest and with chips on proper right end, front of uraeus head abraded, chip or casting flaw on edge of front of Crown of Upper Egypt
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Béla Hein's activity as a dealer and collector of tribal art is the best known aspect of his life and work (see B. de Grunne, Béla Hein. Grand initié des ivoires Lega, Brussels, 2001, pp. 3-6.). He was born in Kremnica, Slovakia, and moved to Paris in 1910. Information on his early career is scarce. Some sources indicate that he trained there as a painter, others that he worked as a writer and journalist writing art reviews. In 1923 he opened a gallery in Paris specializing in tribal and European works of art.