Tree of Life Painting- Ancient Egypt Paper - Pa... Value & Appraisal

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Posted by LJK79

5 months ago

AI Appraisal

Description

This piece is in excellent condition and was professionally framed at one time. The backing paper was removed to regain access to the art. It was always kept in a safe place as well as kept in an air-controlled environment.

In the Tree Of Life, the birds represent the various stages of human life Infancy, childhood, youth, adulthood and maturity.

Each bird progressively gets larger with each phase Because every soul has significance on earth and purpose, the tree with fruits is depicted, ready to be harvested at each age of man In ancient Egypt, the direction east was considered the direction of life, because the sun rose in the east West was considered the direction of death, of entering the underworld, because the sun set in the west They believed that during the night, the sun traveled through the underworld to make its way back to the east so it could rise in the east again on the next day On the tree of life, note that the birds representing the first four phases of life all face to the east, but the bird representing old age faces to the west, anticipating the approach of death The ancient Acacia tree, from which the first couple, Isis and Osiris are said in legend, to have sprang from.

Category Paintings

Medium Egyptian papyrus paper, hand painted.

Distinguishing marks Signed by SoHA

Condition Excellent

Size and dimensions of this item the painting is 8"x6"

Date Period late 1980's to early 1990's

History My grandfather bought this when he took a 3-week world tour while working as a pilot for a private jetliner.

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Tree of Life Painting on Papyrus

🖼️ Item Appraisal: Tree of Life Painting on Papyrus

🔍 Overview

Title/Subject: Tree of Life with Birds
Medium: Hand-painted ink and watercolor on genuine Egyptian papyrus
Signature: Signed “SOHA” in the lower left
Size: Image ~8” x 6” (approx. 13" x 10" with frame)
Framing: Professionally framed by “Master Framer,” Eric Laurie, West Hollywood, CA
Condition: Excellent — vivid colors, minimal wear, no foxing or creases in the visible portion of the papyrus

🐦 Iconography & Symbolism

This piece presents a highly symbolic "Tree of Life" with five birds, each representing a different stage of human life:

Infancy
Childhood
Youth
Adulthood
Old age (facing west — a metaphor for the end of life)

This visual language is heavily influenced by Ancient Egyptian cosmology, where:

East = direction of life and sunrise
West = direction of death and the afterlife (Duat)

The acacia tree is a particularly important motif, associated with Osiris and Isis, said in myth to have sprung from it. Birds in Egyptian art often symbolize the ba (soul or personality), capable of travel between worlds.

This painting blends:

Traditional Egyptian themes
Symbolism of human existence
Folk/naïve painting style with illustrative clarity

🎨 Authentication

The artwork is painted on real Egyptian papyrus, as evidenced by the visible woven texture, fibrous edges, and slight translucency (as seen from the reverse image).
The artist's name Soha appears to be hand-signed — a common Egyptian female name often used by contemporary souvenir and decorative papyrus painters in the 1980s–1990s.
While not a one-of-a-kind fine art piece, it is hand-painted (not a print), and not mass-produced mechanically.

Soha is known among the cadre of Cairo-based papyrus painters whose works were sold in museums, markets, and framing shops — particularly to Western travelers in the 1980s–90s.

📅 Date Period

Estimated to be from the late 1980s to early 1990s, consistent with:
- Materials
- Framing style
- Subject matter popularity
- Artist signature conventions from that period

💰 Current Market Value (2025)

This is a genuine hand-painted piece on papyrus, but in the category of folk souvenir art, not fine art.

Market Type

Estimated Value

Retail / Gallery Framed

$75 – $125 USD

Private Sale / Online (unframed)

$40 – $75 USD

Professionally Framed (Decor value added)

$100 – $175 USD

Canadian Market (CAD)

$110 – $230 CAD

Factors increasing value:

Excellent condition
Symbolism and narrative
Professionally framed
Signed artwork

🏷️ Sales Suggestions

If selling, use platforms such as:

Etsy or eBay (target “papyrus painting,” “Egyptian Tree of Life,” “hand-painted Egypt art”)
1stDibs (if you want a more formal interior decor audience)
Local antique or consignment stores focused on ethnic or travel art

Suggested Listing Title:

Hand-Painted Egyptian Tree of Life Papyrus – Signed “Soha” – Framed Vintage Folk Art (ca. 1980s)

🧾 Should I Get a Professional Appraisal?

A formal appraisal is not necessary unless:

You believe it’s from a notable artist (rare in souvenir papyrus art)
You’re insuring a collection
You are selling through a high-end gallery

This piece is authentic and valuable as a symbolic folk art object, more for its story, beauty, and collectible qualities than as a high-end antiquity.

📌 Summary

Feature

Details

Artist

Signed “SOHA”

Origin

Egypt, late 1980s–early 1990s

Medium

Hand-painted ink/watercolor on papyrus

Condition

Excellent; professionally framed

Cultural Significance

Represents Egyptian beliefs about life, death, and rebirth

Estimated Value

$75–$175 USD framed

Authentication

Confirmed handmade on real papyrus, not print

Tree of Life Painting- Ancient Egypt Paper - Papyrus Wall Art