Minoan Agate Seal with Squid

2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.

3/4 in. (2.53 grams, 19.1 mm).

Ellipsoid in section and rectangular in plan with incuse squid motif; pierced for use as a bead, but the end-holes not joined; supplied with a museum-quality impression.

Provenance

Private collection, 1980s.
Acquired on the UK art market.
Private collection, London, UK.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13484-262458.

Literature

Cf. for Minoan seals representing animals, Yule, P., Early Cretan Seals: A Study of Chronology, Marburger Studien zur Vor- und Frühgeschichte, 4, Mainz am Rhein, 1981, pls.3-8,12 (iconography).

Footnotes

In a relatively large number of Minoan seals, it is difficult to determine unequivocally the exact type of animal depicted. Some are hybrid figures with hooves, animal legs or are posed with a frontal face. Some figures are crudely scratched in the field; others are more carefully modelled.

CONDITION

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LOT 0119