Achaemenid Blue Glass Bead Necklace String

Comprising seven circular mounts, each with a repoussé winged lion, depicted in a seated pose with its head turned, pierced thrice through the outer rim. 1.92 grams total, 15 mm each



Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, UK.

Gold held immense significance in the Achaemenid Empire, not only as a symbol of wealth and divine favour but also as a practical medium for art, currency, and royal regalia. It was used in architectural decoration, lavish court objects, jewellery, and ceremonial ware, often reflecting the empire’s vast wealth and cosmopolitan reach. Among the prominent motifs in Achaemenid art is the lion-griffin—a mythical creature combining the body of a lion with the wings of an eagle. This powerful image, frequently seen in gold appliqués, seals, and metalwork, conveyed themes of imperial power, protection, and control over both terrestrial and celestial realms. The lion-griffin stood as an emblem of dominance and guardianship, befitting the grandeur of Persia’s imperial ideology.

Plano-convex in section with incuse animal forms to the underside. 82.8 grams, 66 mm



Private collection. Acquired from a Swiss collection, 2002.

Showing a divine drinking scene; accompanied by a museum quality impression and a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder Seal of Green Jasper, 23 x 13 mm. Two seated figures face each other. On the right is a male, wearing a flat cap on his head, and a long robe to the feet with a deep fringe at the bottom. He is holding up a flat cup. The figure on the left is female, bare-headed, but wearing a similar long garment with fringe at the bottom, alos a fringe where the fabric overlaps from the waist down. Both figures hold up the same type of cup. Between them stands a servant, in a similar long robe and with bare head, holding a mace at the waist. In the sky there is a star and lunar crescent. A tall slender tree serves as a terminal. This is a Akkadian seal, c. 2300-2200 B.C., from Mesopotamia or a neighbouring region. In view of the flat cap on the male the figures are no doubt divine, and this is then a divine drinking scene. This seal is in excellent state of preservation.' 6.31 grams, 23 mm



From the private collection of a North American lady, formed 1970s-early 1990s, with collection reference no.P18. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in August 1992 and an old photograph.