Details

LOT 0191

Middle Elamite Glazed Faience Cylinder Seal with Feasting Scene

CIRCA 1300-1200 B.C.

1 7/8 in. (10.67 grams, 47 mm).

The scene divided into two registers with the main one with a seated figure and an attendant; accompanied by a museum quality impression and a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder Seal of Glazed Faience, 48 x 14 mm. The main scene consists of a seated figure, wearing a long robe, with hair done up in a bun at the back of the head, and drinking from a situla. Facing him is a standing attendant holding up a fan in both hands. Between them is a tablet with a leg of meat on it, also an unidentified object, a star and a lozenge-shape above the table. As a terminal there is a recumbent winged sphynx below a horned animal, also recumbent but with hear turned back. A top register contains: a winged sphynx, a monkey, a lozenge, a horned animal with head turned back and a tree as termina. This is a Middle Elamite cylinder, c. 1300-1200 B.C. such as have been found at Susa and Choga Zanbil. Only rarely are they seen on the market. One side of this one is better preserved than the other, and some of the original turquoise glaze still survives.'

Provenance

From the private collection of a North American lady, formed 1970s-early 1990s, with collection reference no.4656.

Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert dated March 1992 and an old photograph.