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LOT 1700
Large Sasanian Banded Agate Stamp Seal
CIRCA 4TH-5TH CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (13.21 grams, 27.07 mm).
Plano-convex in section with lightly incised standing figure with sword and shield in his outstretched hands. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.
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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Urartu Bronze Four-Way Bridle Strap Junction
9th-8th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Comprising a domed upper part with crescents and annulets, six radiating bosses on the outer edge, and four-way strap attachment on the reverse. 33.8 grams, 39.3 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s. -
Mesopotamian Stone Vessel
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Broad and squat in profile with carination to the equator, everted rim. 208 grams, 82 mm
From a collection formed before 1990. Ex Mayfair, London, UK, gallery, 2000s. -
Sumerian Green Stone Eye Idol
3rd millennium B.C.Estimate: £2,500 - 3,500 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,250
Carved in the round as a rectangular block with a slit to the upper edge, vertical spike with two annulet 'eyes'; pierced for suspension. 13.2 grams, 41 mm
with M. Petropoulos, Zurich, early 1990s. with Rhéa gallery. Private collection, acquired in 1999. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12897-241753.
Idols were an important part of religious life in South Arabia and across the ancient Near East. They were made as images of gods, spirits, or protective powers, and helped people feel a closer connection to the divine. These figures might be placed in temples, shrines, or even in the home, where they could have a protective or devotional role. Their shapes were often simple and stylised, with more importance placed on their meaning than on making them look fully realistic.
