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_900x900.jpg "Mitanni Brown Hematite Cylinder Seal with Winged Birds")
_200x200.jpg "Mitanni Brown Hematite Cylinder Seal with Winged Birds")
.jpg "Mitanni Brown Hematite Cylinder Seal with Winged Birds")
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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West Central Asian Bronze Stamp Seal Matrix with Vulture
Circa 2300-2000 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Showing a vulture with spread wings, remains of loop to the reverse; accompanied by typed and signed note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 22 x 34 x 8mm. This has the form of what is depicted, with flat face, flat back, and the remains of a handle of strip metal on the back. The design shows an eagle or vulture with head sideways at the top and wings spread each side, the talons at the bottom being chipped. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is a rare type and in fair condition. Incrustation on the surface could be removed.' 10 grams, 37 mm
Ex collection of a late London gentleman, 1990s. Accompanied by an original typed and signed scholarly note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993. 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 Painted Terracotta Jar
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Globular in profile with broad everted rim, bands of painted frieze detailing. 3 kg, 26 cm
From a West London, UK, collection, 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. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Bull Rider
1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £360
Showing a man on a standing bull, grabbing the hair of a captive with his right hand. 84 grams, 51 mm high
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 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.
The statuette can represent the god storm Hazor, a storm deity with lunar traits. The association between a bull and storm deities is well known on Anatolian sealings from 20th-19th century B.C. The portrayal of a god standing on a bull in conjunction with lunar symbols derived from Old Babylonian cult, where the bull was connected with the Moon as a goddess, and continued in the Near East in association with the god Hazor, identified with El, head of the Canaanite pantheon.
