Bactrian Style Lapis Lazuli Bead Necklace

Ibex-shaped seal with segmented body and long horns, facing right, standing on all four legs; mounted in a modern wooden frame with fabric backing. 220 grams total, 17.8 cm including frame



Ex London, UK, gallery, 1971-early 2000s. Property of a London gentleman.

The object belongs to a large class of compartmented seals, characteristic of this area. These stamps were frequently produced in either copper or bronze and would feature distinctive figural or geometric patterns such as floral and cross motifs, or animals such as goats, snakes, scorpions and mythical beasts. The wild goat or markhor or ibex Shumashti Siru, was a tribal animal subject to representation on the most ancient Bactrian seals.

Mainly pottery and some glass, annular, tubular, fusiform and other types. 43.6 grams total, 2-20 mm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

A bronze seal in the form of a standing pig, accompanied by a 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, 37 x 61 x 14mm. This has the shape of a standing pig, with no ears marked, but with a short tail and big round eye. Its snout is raised. The seal has a flat, compartmented face, and flat back on which a handle of sheet metal is mounted. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It has a rare and attractive design, and is in very good condition save that the hind leg is broken off. The metal has been conserved.' 37 grams, 61 mm



Ex Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; collection number R-770, academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s.