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LOT 1237
Mesopotamian Clay Fertility Figure
4TH-3RD MILLENNIUM B.C.
4 1/2 in. (225 grams, 11.5 cm high).
Stylised detailing to her face and hair, beaded necklace around her neck and small breasts; remains of outstretched arms; shallow U-shaped channel to reverse delineating her buttocks and spine. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.
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AUCTIONS:
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Large Western Asiatic Silver Bracelet
1st millennium A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
Penannular type with polyhedral terminals, blocks of pointillé detailing and hatching. 141 grams, 10.3 cm
Ex property of a Dutch gentleman; formerly in an old collection formed in the 1970s. -
Old Babylonian Cylinder Seal with Two Standing Figures
2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £1,500 - 2,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £675
Representing a god in short mantle and round cap with upturned brim, holding a mace in his left hand, before him a goddess standing in a horned crown and kaunakes, her hands raised in supplication; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 8.96 grams, 27 mm
Ex Mr J.K. collection, USA. Acquired from the above, 1997. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12581-232131.
The seals of the First Isin Dynasty were much more varied than those just preceding the Third Dynasty of Ur. Often the chief god - probably Shamash - is standing, and the 'introducing' goddess is facing him, while the worshipper is not pictured. The seals are a mine for the understanding of the old Babylonian costume. The tunic of the female goddess here is made of tufted material that the Greeks called kaunakes, the weave of which imitated the effect of the earlier sheepskin costumes. -
Large Bactrian Black Chlorite Vessel with Opposing Pairs of Serpents
3rd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £8,775
Drum-shaped vessel with reserved frieze to the outer face: pairs of opposed snakes with bodies entwined; shallow socket to each of the eyes to accept an inlay panel. 2 kg, 18 cm wide
with Gallery Rosen Ancient Art, Tel Aviv, 1960s. Ex London, UK, gallery, 1971-early 2000s. London, UK, collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate no.12772-237880.
The chlorite stone vessels of early Bactria were kidney-shaped vessels with simple geometric decoration or cylindrical like our specimen. Small cylindrical vases were used as cosmetic containers, together with chlorite cosmetic flasks.