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LOT 0863
Byzantine Stone Bread Stamp
6TH-10TH CENTURY A.D.
2 5/8 in. (80 grams, 66 mm).
Rectangular with pierced lug to the reverse; rectangular design with text 'XAPO / ETA'.
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK, 1969-1999; thence by descent.
LiteratureCf. similar in the collection of the British Museum under accession no.1875,1012.1, with text also executed dextrograde (not reversed).
FootnotesThe legend should have been written in reverse for a stamp; it may have been a blundered legend by the workman.
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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Byzantine Bronze Ram Statuette
5th-8th century A.D. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £234
Depicted limp with a collar or wineskins draped around the waist, modelled in the round with naturalistic detailing and curled horns. 56 grams, 49 mm
‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection. -
Byzantine Bronze Ring with Dove
Circa 5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
Composed of a slender hoop and sub-circular bezel engraved with a highly stylised figure of a dove. 2.02 grams, 18.51 mm overall, 14.84 mm internal diameter (approximate size British H, USA 3 3/4, Europe 6.18, Japan 6)
Private collection formed since the 1940s. UK art market. Property of an Essex gentleman. -
Christian Rock Crystal Cross Stamp Seal Collection
7th century A.D.Estimate: £6,000 - 8,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £3,333
Comprising three conoid seals, each engraved with a Greek cross and pierced for suspension; one with a wreath border, the other two with Syriac inscriptions and letters, possibly 'hš’ hy’' (the living passion); accompanied by a custom-made display case and impressions. 17.88 grams total, 15-21 mm
Important North West London collection. 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 a search certificate number no. 11778-204567.
The collection concerns a group of seals of distinctive style and mainly conoid shape, realised (according to Spier) by a workshop in Muslim Mesopotamia of 7th century, soon after the Arab conquest. Nearly all the seals of this category are made of rock crystal, are usually pierced for suspension and engraved with distinctive form of cross. The crosses are positioned inside a linear, cable or (like in our case) wreathed border (sometimes also under a recessed arch). They could be uninscribed or inscribed with Syriac dialect (Aramaic) or Arabic in Kufic inscription (sometimes also in Pahlavi).
