Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0530
Greek Pyramid Seal with Inscription
CIRCA 5TH CENTURY B.C.
3/4 in. (5.02 grams, 20 mm).
With incuse Zeus seated on a stool, holding the shaft of a sceptre topped by an eagle, legend to the side 'XAΡOΝ'; supplied with a museum-quality impression.
Provenance
From the property of late Mr SM, London, UK, 1969-1999.
Literature
Cf. Boardman, J., Greek Gems and finger rings, Early Bronze Age to Late Classical, London, 2001, no.1037, p.392, for similar.
Footnotes
The seal bears a classical representation of seated Zeus with his eagle-headed sceptre. The inscribed name (Charon) is probably the one of the owner, according to the interpretation of Boardman. The parallel of the image on this seal can be seen on a blue chalcedony scaraboid, type A.L.17 preserved in the Getty Museum (inventory 84.AN.I.12).
CONDITIONVETTING:
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.
RELATED LOTS
-
Bronze Age Cypriot Terracotta Burnished Pottery Jug with Handle
Circa 1900-1650 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
Comprising a spherical body with tall tubular neck with bulbs and U-section pouring spout, large strap handle to the rear; panels of hatched incised ornament to the body, pierced bulbs. 329 grams, 19.3 cm
Private family collection for the last 50 years. with Bonhams, London, 15 May 2008, no.375 (part). Property of a North London collector. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages and the original lot tag. -
Etruscan Bronze Statuette with Offering
4th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £845
Modelled in the round as a figure of a lar standing with the left hand raised with palm facing forwards, right arm extending forwards and holding a patera in the hand; wearing a close-fitting short-sleeved tunic with a folded and draped mantle above; the face with aquiline nose, lentoid eyes and a small pursed mouth and with a loose-fitting cap retaining the hair; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 295 grams total, 13.3 cm including stand
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
The gesture is typical for making sacrifice. The curved hem of the garment, which originally could be seen both behind and in front of the left leg, shows that this is a tebenna, a typical Etruscan male dress, distinguished by its semi-circular shape from the rectangular Greek himation. -
Cypriot Painted Terracotta Dish
Early Iron Age, circa 1050-600 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
Low ceramic dish with two loop handles to the underside, painted rim and tondo, concentric rings ro the underside and cruciform panel to the foot; pencilled collection number to the rim: '3128', inked collection number to the inside of one handle '[B]U 4139', and a red inked collection number: '634' on white painted panel to the base. 81 grams, 11.8 cm
The red-ink inscription to the base suggesting it may have been deaccessioned from The Metropolitan Museum of Art. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.