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_900x900.jpg "Bactrian Manuscript Fragment of a Letter")
_200x200.jpg "Bactrian Manuscript Fragment of a Letter")
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LOT 1351
Bactrian Manuscript Fragment of a Letter
6TH-7TH CENTURY AD
6 in. (5.57 grams, 15.5 cm).
A near-complete fragment of a letter in Avestan on leather, recto bearing eight lines of cursive script, faded but largely undamaged; verso bearing traces of at least two lines of text; irregular in shape.
ProvenanceCollection of Bruce Ferrini, USA.
Central London gallery, acquired c.1994.
Property of a UK collector.
For UK buyers only, this item is not exportable from the UK.
Sims-Williams, N., Bactrian Documents from Northern Afghanistan II: Letters and Buddhist Texts (Studies in the Khalili Collections Volume III), London: The Nour Foundation, 2012, pp.24, 106-107, and Bactrian Documents III: pl.169b, 170a.
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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Assyrian Green Serpentine Amulet with Worshippers
Circa 900-600 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
Bifacial amulet with chevron borders and worshippers, accompanied by 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: 'Amulet of Green Serpentine, 31mm. high. There is a band of chevrons at both top and bottom of this amulet, going in opposite directions. Between them on the one side is a standing worshipper holding up a cup in one hand and a bow in the other, in front of him an altar. On the other side is a sacred tree under a winged solar disc, and to the other side of the tree is a minute worshipper with hands extended. [...] from any part of the [...].' 11.9 grams, 31 mm
with Bonhams, Fine Antiquities, 20th May, 1992, no.76. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in 1990. -
Western Asiatic Bone Cylinder Seal with Chariot
2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
With incuse frieze of a horse in profile pulling a chariot with driver and large spoked wheel, small standing figure before the horse's chest; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 2.3 grams, 19 mm
Acquired in the 1980s-2000s. From an important London, UK, collection. -
West Central Asian Bronze Stamp Seal Matrix with Rosette Cross
Circa 2300-2000 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £94
Openwork quatrefoil with triangular loop to the reverse; accompanied by typed and signed note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 43 x 43 x 19 mm. This is an open-work compartmented seal bearing the shape of the design: a rosette with four petals, with an extra layer around the edge. on the back there is a handle of thick sheet metal in an inverted V-shape. This comes from West Central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is an unusual design. The outer rim is dented a little, otherwise it is in good condition.' 26 grams, 44 mm
Ex collection of a late London gentleman, 1990s. Accompanied by an original typed and signed scholarly note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993. 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.
