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LOT 0224
Bactrian Lapis Lazuli Recumbent Bull with Inlaid Eyes
3RD MILLENNIUM B.C.
1 3/4 in. (27.1 grams, 45 mm).
Carved in the round as a bull with curved tail forming the suspension lug, recessed sockets for eyes with inset turquoise beads; repaired.
Provenancewith Gallery Rosen Ancient Art, Tel Aviv, 1968.
with a London, UK gallery, 1971-early 2000s.
Accompanied by a copy of the original 1968 invoice.
See for ancient bull cults, see Rice, M., Power of the Bull, London, 1997, and discussion there.
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
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LOT 0224
Bactrian Lapis Lazuli Recumbent Bull with Inlaid Eyes
Estimate £1,200 - 1,700€1,390 - 1,970 (for guidance only)$1,620 - 2,300 (for guidance only)
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Achaemenid Heavy Gold Earring Pair
Circa 6th-4th century B.C.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,500
A matched pair of large earrings decorated with pomegranates on the outer edge, the crescentic body divided in transversal grooves representing the abdomen of a bee, with granulation on the inner and outer edge, a horizontal gold wire with circlets to the centre. 23.78 grams total, 38 mm each
From a private family collection formed since the early 19th century, thence by descent. Property of a New Zealand legal professional. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12326-223715.
Fruit were generally considered to be a symbol of sensuality, temptation and fertility; the giving and accepting of fruit may be regarded as a symbolic sexual act, or at least a prelude to marriage. It follows naturally that the pomegranate, with its innumerable fleshy seeds symbolising life and fecundity, was an attribute of Aphrodite. -
Bactrian Lapis Lazuli Pin Head with Figures
3rd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,600
Drum-shaped in profile with running guilloche to the rim, obverse with low-relief figure of a crouching man between addorsed gryphons; reverse with crouching anguiped between lion-heads and regardant birds. 43.6 grams, 50 mm
with Gallery Rosen Ancient Art, Tel Aviv, 1968. with a London, UK gallery, 1971-early 2000s. Accompanied by a copy of the original 1968 invoice. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12407-225342. -
Luristan Bronze Short Sword with Integral Hilt with Crescent Pommel
14th-10th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
A short sword or dagger with slender triangular blade, low round midrib with flat upper face, annular guard and remains of scooped shoulders, columnar grip with open sides to receive bone or wooden hilt, crescent pommel. 322 grams, 44 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
These kind of bronze daggers or dirks, typical of Marlik culture, were cast in a one piece mould according to Negahban, although in some specimens the penannular guard was cast later into the blade. The separate sets of encircling ribs on the grips are again typical of swords from the Marlik area.