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LOT 0287
Bactrian Chlorite 'Princess' Idol
LATE 3RD-EARLY 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
1 1/2 - 5 1/2 in. (1.54 kg total, 3.9-14 cm).
Carved as a human figure in three parts: body with rows of overlapping tufts of fur, shallow socket to accept the head and broad collar below; the bald head carved from marble with semi-naturalistic detailing to the face; headdress (or wig) with a flared outer flange. [3]
ProvenanceAcquired from a gallery in France and brought to the United Kingdom in 1982; thence by descent.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12713-235197.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
See Aruz, J., Art of The First Cities: The Third Millennium B.C. from the Mediterranean to the Indus, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2003, pp. 367-368, for discussion and similar examples; cf. Hiebert, F. and Cambon, P. edn., Afghanistan: Crossroads of the Ancient World, The British Museum Press, 2011, pp.71-76, for discussion and comparable objects.
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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Achaemenid Silver Bowl with Royal Egyptian Inscription for Darius the Great
6th-5th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £13,000
Bowl fragment including section of the carinated rim, radiating repoussé teardrop bosses with interstitial lotus-flowers motifs and radiating rosette motif below; incised Egyptian hieroglyphic legend below the rim transliterated as 'ı͗nṯry(p sic )wš pr-ꜤꜢ pꜢ ꜤꜢ' (Darius, the Great Pharaoh); mounted on a custom-made stand. 1.23 kg total, 26.7 cm wide including stand
Previously in the private collection of Mr S.A, acquired on the London art market in the 1960s. Accompanied by a copy of a previous illustrated three page cataloguing/report. Accompanied by a copy of an IADAA Interpol search certificate. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12709-235450. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Egyptologist Paul Whelan writes: "The inscription reads: ı͗nṯry(p sic )wš pr-ꜤꜢ pꜢ ꜤꜢ (Darius, the Great Pharaoh). The ancient Egyptians encountered difficulties in rendering the name Darius in hieroglyphs, with at least seventeen known variants. This version differs slightly from those, as it also includes an erroneous ‘p’ hieroglyph. The presence of several cuneiform signs following the hieroglyphs indicates that the phiale likely once featured multilingual versions of the inscription - a practice more commonly found on stone vessels. The epithet ‘the Great Pharaoh’ on this fragment represents one of the earliest examples, appearing more frequently in inscriptions from the reign of Xerxes." A hieroglyphic inscription on an Achaemenid item is very rare, although examples on stone vessels are known. Darius I 'the Great' ruled from 522 to 486 B.C. His predecessor, Cambyses II, conquered Egypt in 525 B.C. and the presence of this inscription is probably linked to the subsequent rule of the dynasty over Egypt and its influence on the Egyptian priestly caste. -
Western Asiatic Style White Metal Pendant with Carnelian Calligraphic Gemstone
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
An openwork pendant set with a carnelian gemstone, engraved calligraphic text in two lines, scallop-shaped suspension loop above. 13.4 grams, 30 mm
From the family collection of a Hampstead gentleman; formerly acquired in the 1980s. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Anatolian Black Stone Stamp Seal
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Discoid in plan with hatching to the rim and the pierce lug to the reverse; deep border and intaglio motif of a spread eagle with segmented wings and tail. 42 grams, 49 mm
From the collection of Mr S.M., London, UK, formed from 1979-1999. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
