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LOT 0221
Early Proto-Elamite Silver Horned Bull Pendant
3100-2900 B.C.
2 3/4 in. (54.5 grams, 70 mm wide).
Representing an exquisite bull figure standing with his head turned dramatically to the left, depicted with large curled horns and inlaid white stone eyes, formed from thin hammered silver sheet in repoussé, depicting the bull as a hollow pendant, with the interior filled with natural bitumen; traces of an original suspension loop on the shoulder.
Provenancewith Mahboubian Gallery, New York, acquired prior to 1969.
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 search certificate number no.13140-249434.
See Aruz, J. (ed), Art of the First Cities: The Third Millennium BC from the Mediterranean to the Indus, New York, 2003, items 42, 249. 314; Mahboubian, H., Art of Ancient Iran, London, 1997, figs.1-2, pp.36.
FootnotesObjects of this type are understood to be ritual or votive pendants, produced not for everyday wear but primarily for dedication in temple contexts. Bulls, goats, rams and other herd animals with horns were thematically abundant in the Ancient Near East, especially around the Iranian plateau circumscribed by the Zagros and Elbruz Mountains and multiple deserts. There are representations of bulls as pendants or votive statuettes (Mahboubian,1997, pp.59, 213, 224, 225, 225, 235, 240), vessel stands (Mahboubian, 1997, pp.40-41), vessel protomes and rhytons from Mesopotamia to Caucasus.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0221
Early Proto-Elamite Silver Horned Bull Pendant
Estimate £20,000 - 30,000€23,200 - 34,800 (for guidance only)$27,000 - 40,500 (for guidance only)
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Mitanni Cylinder Seal with Animals in Gold Mounting
Circa 1500-1300 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,680
Chalcedony cylinder seal with ancient bronze ring depicting a deer, a sphinx, an ibex, a scorpion and two profile male figures; set into a later gold mounting. 16.40 grams, 39.56 mm overall, 23.03 x 31.30 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Z+6, USA 15 1/4, Europe 36.34, Japan 34)
Ex Manfred Schwarz, acquired on the German art market before 1970. Private collection, England. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13144-249540. -
Indo-Parthian Silver Carinated Cup
Circa late 1st century B.C.-early 1st century A.D.Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,111
Formed from a single sheet, the ovoid base carinated with plain upper portion, slightly flared lip to the rim. 95 grams, 10.4 cm
Acquired from a private UK collection prior to 1979. Ex Julian Sherrier collection, a leading figure in Gandharan art. with Christie's, New York, sale 2337, 14th September 2010, no.56A (part). Accompanied by the original Christie's lot ticket. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12961-244455.
The taste for beautifully decorated cups and drinking vessels was a hallmark of the later Seleucid Empire and early Arsacid Dynasty. Various beakers and cups were used by the Parthians according to the style of the Hellenized East. -
Luristan Bronze Dagger Blade
800-600 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
With a triangular blade fitted with three fullers, with a handle cast onto the blade, showing three fastening holes. 72 grams, 20 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
These weapons belong to the Early Median and Achaemenid Period. The blades were often inserted inside an openwork scabbard, cast with the lost wax process, while the handle was instead cast onto the blade.
