Loading, please wait...
LOT 0949
Bactrian Manuscript Fragment of a Letter
LATE 6TH-EARLY 7TH CENTURY A.D.
4 1/4 in. (1.72 grams, 11 cm).
A fragment of a leather document, likely a letter, written in Avestan cursive script; folded. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceCollection of Bruce Ferrini, USA.
Central London gallery, acquired c.1994.
Property of a UK collector.
For UK buyers only.
Damage to the centre; seemingly preserves the outer edges of a document written up to the edges of the sheet, was folded over and sealed. The letter comprised nine lines of text, of which significant proportions of the upper and lower three remain, while the middle three are less-well preserved. Beyond the damaged area would once have been a flap.
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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
-
Western Asiatic Gold Pendant with Carnelian
1st-2nd century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £56
A gold pendant with openwork domed filigree cell set with a capsule-shaped banded carnelian stone bead, ribbed collar and openwork bulb above for suspension. 1.42 grams, 23 mm
Fine condition.
Acquired 1970-2010. Collection of a late Japanese gentleman. -
Amlash Terracotta Amphora
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £229
A finely modelled red terracotta amphora featuring a globular body rising from a flat base, a short neck, and a wide, flaring rim; two applied handles extending from the shoulder to the rim with bird-head detailing. 1 kg, 22 cm high
Fine condition.
Acquired 1970s-1990s. Ex Pars Gallery, Mayfair, London, UK. From a specialist collection of pottery. -
Aramaic Lead Amuletic Sheet with Magical Text
1st-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
A roughly rectangular sheet-lead panel with columns of lightly incised Aramaic text of magical subject matter; the sheet originally rolled tightly. 4.34 grams, 41 mm
Acquired 1969-1999. London collection of the late Mr S.M., thence by descent.
The sheet was possibly meant to be a defixio or curse tablet on which the malediction was recorded and then shut away (by being tightly rolled up), so that the victim could not find or negate it.