Loading, please wait...
LOT 1173
Large Western Asiatic Terracotta Statue Head
LATE 1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
6 1/4 in. (600 grams, 16 cm).
A hollow-formed figure or idol head with conical cap, pinched facial form, applied brows and other detailing; mounted on a stand. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceProperty of a Cambridgeshire lady; formerly in the Igor Karmiloff collection (1925-2016), UN economist and author of Flashbacks, Icons of Impermanence, Bloomington, 2009; acquired in the 1950s-early 1990s.
From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.
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.
-
Akkadian Grey Stone Cylinder Seal
2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
With combat scene of a standing figure grappling with two rearing ibexes each looking backwards towards a rearing horse; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 17.2 grams, 30 mm
From an important London collection, 1980s-2000s. -
Western Asiatic Spool-Shaped Gold Beads
Late 2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Group of three spool-shaped elements, each pierced longitudinally and forming a spacer bead for a multi-strand necklace. 1.91 grams, 19 mm
From the collection of a late Japanese gentleman, 1970s onwards. -
Achaemenid Gold Appliques Depicting Winged Lions
5th-4th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,300
Comprising seven circular mounts, each with a repoussé winged lion, depicted in a seated pose with its head turned, pierced thrice through the outer rim. 1.92 grams total, 15 mm each
Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, UK.
Gold held immense significance in the Achaemenid Empire, not only as a symbol of wealth and divine favour but also as a practical medium for art, currency, and royal regalia. It was used in architectural decoration, lavish court objects, jewellery, and ceremonial ware, often reflecting the empire’s vast wealth and cosmopolitan reach. Among the prominent motifs in Achaemenid art is the lion-griffin—a mythical creature combining the body of a lion with the wings of an eagle. This powerful image, frequently seen in gold appliqués, seals, and metalwork, conveyed themes of imperial power, protection, and control over both terrestrial and celestial realms. The lion-griffin stood as an emblem of dominance and guardianship, befitting the grandeur of Persia’s imperial ideology.
