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_900x900.jpg "Mitanni Faience Cylinder Seal with Worship Scenes")
_200x200.jpg "Mitanni Faience Cylinder Seal with Worship Scenes")
.jpg "Mitanni Faience Cylinder Seal with Worship Scenes")
LOT 0197
Mitanni Faience Cylinder Seal with Worship Scenes
CIRCA 1500-1200 B.C.
1 5/8 in. (11.3 grams, 42 mm).
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: 'Cylinder Seal of Faience with Green Glaze 43 x 17 mm. The design, which is contained within a line above and another beneath, consists of two scenes of worship. The one shows a stylized sacred tree with a central trunk and five branches each side, all ending in buds, then a pendant hanging from each lowest branch on either side. On left and right and facing the tree are worshippers, both with hands raised. The other scene has two similar worshipers, facing each other with hands raised. Between them the area is divided in the middle by a guilloche. Above it is a stag falling onto its neck, below it is another kind of horned animal, but recumbent and turning its head. This seal is Mitanni, c. 1500-1200 B.C and from anywhere in the area between Syria and Western Kurdistan. It is a product of the Hurrian civilization and the stylized tree is a symbol of the Storm God, Hurrian Teshub, Babylonian Adad, Hebrew Hadad or Baal. The horned animals occur commonly on Mitanni seals, and this seal proves that they are symbolic of some god, but it is not known which one. The guilloche is a standard decorative filler of the period. Faience is a manufactures substance, comparable with the modern porcelain. In the ground it often deteriorates over the centuries and has a powdery surface. This one, however, is in good condition, the only mark of its age being that the glaze has lost something of its original colour, which was turquoise This is an unusually large seal and important since seals of this size and quality are extremely rare.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression.
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a North American lady, formed 1970s-early 1990s, with collection reference no.P31.
Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert dated September 1990.
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Neo-Assyrian Grey Stone Cylinder Seal with Kneeling God
Circa 900-800 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
With a god shooting a sphinx; 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 Grey Stone, 39 x 12. Top and bottom borders are filled with rows of chevrons going in opposite directions, and the design between a kneeling god shooting at a facing sphynx with a bird's head. As filling motifs there are: a small tree or plant, a lozenge, a triangle and a crescent. At each end the stone is stained by remains of original bronze caps, and the bronze bar which ran through the central hole is still present, though the rest of the metal, save for traces, has disappeared. This is a Neo-Assyrian cylinder, c. 900-800 B.C., from Assyria itself, or from neighbouring areas.' 8.7 grams, 39 mm
From the private collection of a North American lady, formed 1970s-early 1990s, with collection reference no.P16. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert dated February 1992 and an old photograph. -
Western Asiatic Ceramic Zoomorphic Vessel
8th-9th century A.D.Estimate: £500 - 700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £250
Comprising four conical legs supporting a double globular body with conical neck and ram's head, spout to the rear with strainer connected by a bridging loop; applied painted hatched spiral detailing; old label to the underside: 'YAZDANI 211C LONDON'. 1.06 kg, 19.5 cm
UK collection, 1990s. Acquired on the UK art market, before 2000. Private collection, Mr M.V., a London-based businessman. -
Urartian Jasper Bovine Seal Amulet
8th-7th century B.C.Estimate: £400 - 600 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £222
Carved as a reclining bull with erect head, underside engraved with a winged quadruped. 2.67 grams, 21 mm
From the collection of Dr U.O., Zurich, acquired in the 1950s. with Rhea Galerie, Zurich, Switzerland.
