Loading, please wait...
LOT 0263
Mesopotamian Heavy Silver Bead Necklace
3RD-EARLY 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
22 in. (224 grams, 56 cm).
Restrung and comprising mainly spherical, elongated ovals, oblates, and biconical shapes; accompanied by a custom-made lined display box.
ProvenanceNumismatic and Ancient Art Gallery AG, Ancient Art of the Mediterranean World, No 8, no.5, c.1982.
Taisei Gallery, Gold & Silver Auction, Part II, Ancient to Renaissance, 5 November 1992, The Conrad Salon, The Waldorf-Astoria, New York, no.39.
Private collection, London.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13265-253358.
Cf. Bass, G.F. ‘A Hoard of Trojan and Sumerian Jewelry’ in Aja, no.70, 1974, pp.335-341, for similar metal beads. Pl.85, fig.24-25.
FootnotesThe Sumerian word for silver is kú-babbar, which means ‘white metal’. Silver was mined from ores that contained significant amounts of other metals and impurities and therefore requires a great deal of further processing before it can be used. It was considered sacred and immutable, and an extremely high-status material, used for royal jewellery.
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:
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.
LOT 0263
Mesopotamian Heavy Silver Bead Necklace
Estimate £5,000 - 7,000€5,800 - 8,120 (for guidance only)$6,750 - 9,450 (for guidance only)
-
Achaemenid Black Stone Bead with Winged Goddess
Circa 5th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
With incuse figure kneeling with outstretched wings. 2.80 grams, 18.30 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s. -
Western Asiatic Alabaster Eye Idol Head
Circa 4th-3rd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
Modelled in the round with two adjacent discs on a stem, ring-and-dot eye detailing. 2.28 grams, 15.85 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s. -
Western Asiatic Bokhara Gilt Manuscript Page
Circa 1820 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
In a gilt wooden glazed frame with card reveal to both pages; collector's label to reverse with details: 'Dala'il al Khairat Bokhara C.1820. This superb illuminated manuscript is of the popular prayer book, the Dala'il Al Khairat and is thought to have been scribed in Bokhara, some 150 miles from Samarkand. For centuries Bokhara was a centre of Islamic scholarship in Asia. The city had some 360 mosques and nearly 10,000 pupils received their education in 140 madrasas or theological colleges. Many fine manuscripts were scribed there, principally to serve the vibrant Muslim culture. This item is a wonderful example. The script is naskh enclosed in gold clouds, an Indian influence. The central panels are bordered with a meandering vine border of the highest quality. It is sad that about a third of the book was damaged beyond repair. An essential item for collectors, a pearl almost beyond price.' 516 grams, 28.7 x 23.5 cm
Acquired on the UK art market.
