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LOT 0245
Bactrian Camel Applique
3RD-2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
6 3/4 in. (245 grams total, 17.5 cm including frame).
A finely modelled two-humped camel, shown in a dynamic pose, possibly in the act of kneeling and balancing its body weight on its bent back and front legs; mounted in a display frame.
ProvenanceEx London, UK, gallery, 1971-early 2000s.
Property of a London gentleman.
Cf. Sarianidi, V., Myths of Ancient Bactria and Margiana on its Seals and Amulets, Moscow, 1998, fig.110, for similar; cf. also the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession no.53.117.1, for a similar statuette.
FootnotesCamels were a symbol of wealth and well-being. The importance of the Bactrian camel is attested in the ancient sources. The two-humped Bactrian camel, object of many seal representations, was already widespread in North India during the first quarter of the 2nd millennium B.C. It was probably an Aryan introduction. The Mitanni came from Bactria and Margiana and maintained a close connection with their regions of origin, via Khorasan, as can be suggested by the presence of Bactrian camels on the Mitanni seals.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Islamic Manuscript, The Secret of Al-Azhar and the Red Sulfur by the al-Hakim Al-Khemai Dhul-Nun Uthman bin Suwavd Al-Akhmaimi
933 A.H.Estimate: £6,000 - 8,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £3,000
Rebound as a hardback with leather binding to spine and fore-edge envelope flap, marbled boards, title page with triangular block of text in red and black, notes in a different hand below; text pages typically 11 lines of wide-spaced naskh script in black ink with red title and diacritics, six-pointed stars, marginal notation, red-framed numerical and other tables; damaged pages repaired and restored; dense blocks of script to both end pages. 553 grams, 15 x 20.3 cm
From an important family collection started in the late 1950s. Property of a West London, UK, gentleman. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12272-220411.
The text is 'The Secret of Al Azhar and the Red Sulphur' (known as 'The Light of Lights and the Secret of Secrets') by al-Hakim Al-Khemai Dhul-Nun Uthman bin Suwavd Al-Akhmaimi, written out by Yususf bin Yagoub Al Ashiuli in 933 A.H. (1526 A.D.). -
Mesopotamian Terracotta Pouring Vessel
3rd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £520
Formed as a pouring vessel with carinated body and short cylindrical spout, neck decorated with three concentric bands of pricked dots, incised bands below, combed chevrons to the equator featuring three raised knops to the rear. 438 grams, 11.8 cm wide
Acquired in Europe before 1990. -
Western Asiatic Miniature Glass Vessel
12th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
Iridescent ewer with tapering body and sharply carinated shoulder, balustered neck and funicular mouth. 11.4 grams, 46 mm
Collected from 1970-1999. From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.
