Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0524
Cypriot Cylinder Seal of White Stone with Standing Figure
CIRCA 1500-1300 B.C.
1 1/8 in. (26.3 grams, 30 mm).
Cylinder with cord and bead handles; 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: 'Cylinder Seal of White Stone (surface blackened in places) 30.5 x 21 mm. The main scene consists of a standing figure with a big shock of hair, wearing a long skirt from the waist down, marked by horizontal lines, holding up snakes in each hand. On each side of this figure is a horned animal, bovine on the left, of uncertain species on the right, each in lively pose, the one on the right sideways. There is one filler in the main scene, the head of a horned animal. The secondary scene consists of five items: a star, a bull's head shown from the front, a tree, a rosette and the head of an unidentified horned animal. This is a seal in a local Cypriot style, from Cyprus, and dating to c.1500-1300 B.C. It is an important specimen of good quality, though knowledge of ancient Cypriot mythology does not yet allow us to identify the figure holding the snakes.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. [No Reserve]
Provenance
UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983.
Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in February 1992.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
VETTING:
TimeLine 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.
LOT 0524
Cypriot Cylinder Seal of White Stone with Standing Figure
Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
RELATED LOTS
-
Greek Black Glazed Terracotta Askos
4th century B.C.Estimate: £400 - 600 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
A pouring vessel with bulbous body and funicular spout, central strap handle. 160 grams, 97 mm high
Ex C.R., Ticino, before 1970. with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Eastern Greek Gold Necklace Element with Agate Drops
Circa 3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,940
Crescentic frontal panel from a necklace or collar; sheet gold band with slight carination, lightly incised leaf and berry detailing; applied filigree band to each end with double-loop attachment points; three applied foil rosettes; eleven banded agate dangles to the lower edge with sheet gold suspension; a marriage of ancient parts. 33.84 grams, 15.2 cm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. 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.12591-232174. 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.
Rosettes were one of the most desired decorations on jewellery. Diadems with rosettes are attested from the archaic period onwards. One of the rosette types was the so-called flower-head from Madytos, which most closely resembled the common wild or dog rose. The rose was, of course, much prized in ancient times for its wonderful scent and as the favoured flower of Aphrodite, the goddess of love: the lyric poet Anakreon called it ‘the perfume of gods, the joy of men’. -
Greek Bronze Seal Ring with Hippocamp
Circa 5th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £228
Comprising a wide hoop and lentoid bezel with a leaping hippocamp holding a spear and a shield. 8.14 grams, 24.23 mm overall, 19.29 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S 1/2, USA 9 1/4, Europe 20.63, Japan 19)
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
