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LOT 0221
Mitanni Brown Hematite Cylinder Seal with Winged Birds
CIRCA 1500-1250 B.C.
1 in. (14.4 grams, 23 mm).
Cylinder with cord and bead handles; accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note, typed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Description of Cylinder Seal of brown Hematitite (sic), 29 x 15.5 mm. Standing composite figure with human legs and body, but a bird's wings and head, is placed between a large recumbent horned quadruped with long neck and a smaller horned quadruped with short neck; other items; scorpion, hand, fish, star. The whole of the design in enclosed within upper and lower rules. This is a good example of the Mitanni "Elaborate Style", from anywhere between north-western Iran and the eastern Mediterranean. As is normal for such Mitanni seals, the cutting was done entirely with three semi-mechanical tools: the drill, the tubular drill and the cutting wheel. The date will be c. 1500-1250 B.C. The ancient name of the composite figure is not so far known. Save for a gash on the standing figure, the condition is fine.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceUK private collection, acquired 1980-1983.
Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note typed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in October 1987.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0221
Mitanni Brown Hematite Cylinder Seal with Winged Birds
Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
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Early Syrian Black Stone Cylinder Seal with Animals
Circa 3000 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Cylinder with cord and bead handles; accompanied by 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: 'Description of Cylinder Seal of black stone, 34.5 x 26 mm. The sides are decorated with a design consisting of two registers enclosed within lines, and each register divided into compartments, four in one, three in the other, by bands of four parallel lines. Each compartment contains the head of an animal or bird. The upper and lower surfaces of the cylinder are engraved with rosettes centering on the drill hole. This is an early Syrian seal, c. 3000 B.C., of a very unusual and interesting type. Though it is worn, the design still leaves a clear impression when the seal is rolled.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 44.7 grams, 34 mm
UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in November 1987. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Western Asiatic Black Stone Recumbent Bull
1st millennium B.C. or laterEstimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £222
Carved in the round with its legs tucked underneath the body, stylised head with large almond-shaped eyes and incised details to the muzzle, large hump to the neck. 86 grams, 59 mm
From a collection formed before 1988, London and Geneva. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Western Asiatic Jeweller's Chisel and Pin Collection
3rd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Comprising: an awl, a chisel, various pins and pin finials. 102 grams total, 31-93 mm
Ex London art market, 1980-1990s. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Similar complete pins excavated by the Italian Archaeological Mission in Homs have been subdivided into two well-known categories, the melon headed pins and the simple pins, both here represented. This distinction in shape corresponds to a distinction in size: although the diameters are more or less the same.