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LOT 1265
Mitannian Cylinder Seal with Hero Scene
EARLY 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
1 in. (14.1 grams, 26 mm).
Haematite with a robed figure with beard and cap facing a robed female(?) with hands raised, rosette between their faces and rings below; a tall winged figure grasping an ibex by the rear legs and a small human by one arm, above an advancing lion; a facing hero grasping the forelegs of a griffin with a kneeling figure between and winged solar disc above, chipped. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the Rihani family collection, formed 1970-1980s.
From a collection acquired from various auction houses in the UK.
From the estate of Mr R.W., a private Wiltshire, UK, collector; thence by descent.
Cf. Collon, D., First Impressions. Cylinder Seals in the Ancient Near East, London, 2005, item 275, for type.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Early Dynastic Cylinder Seal with Combat Scene
Late 3rd-early 2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,470
Lapis lazuli with the figure of a standing figure with bull head, human body, bull legs and tail, holding a pair of standing ibex by the heads; a standing naked male with radiate headdress and holding a pair of rearing lions by the necks; a standing figure with bull head and legs holding a rearing goat; a standing figure with bull head and legs and holding a pair of rearing ibex. 7.63 grams, 18 mm
From an important London collection; formed before 1990. From a collection acquired from various auction houses in the UK. From the estate of Mr R.W., a private Wiltshire, UK, collector; thence by descent. -
Old Babylonian Cuneiform Messenger Tablet Recording the Journeys of Royal Envoys
End of Amar-Sin's Reign, 2047-2038 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £11,050
Pillow-shaped clay tablet with dense rows of cuneiform text in two columns to each face, (79 lines in total): 1-3. x liters of beer 4 liters of bread, (for) Ili… royal messenger, when he went to … 4-6. x liters of beer x liters of bread, (for) … royal messenger when he went to (visit) the commisionar, dedicated to a judiciary case 7-10. 5 liters of beer 5 liters of bread, (for) Turam-ili royal messenger when he went (concerning) the fugitive troop from Irisagrig who have been arrested, 11-13. 3 liters of bear 2 liters of bread, (for) Ilum-bani, royal messenger when he went (concerning) the fugitive troop, slaves of the palast who have been arrested, 14. 5 liters 5 liters of bread, (for) … 15-17. 5 liters of beer 5 liters of bread, (for) Lu-BaU royal messenger, when he went to the Šubartum (land) 18-19. 5 liters of beer 5 liters of bread, (for) Šu-Ea royal messenger 20-22. 2 liters of beer 4 liters of bread, (for) Ur-Šul-pa’e, when he was in charge of the zigum-equids 23-25. 3 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Ibquša royal messenger when he went to (the city of) Zitian 26-28. 3 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) the secretary, royal messenger when he went to Dadani (the gouvernor). 20-30. 5 liters of beer 5 liters of bread, (for) Hurazi royal messenger 31-32. 3? liters of beer 2 liters of breed, (for) Šu-Eštar royal messenger 33-34. 3 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Dada the royal messenger 35-37. 3 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Dudu royal messenger when they went to (the city of) Der 38-39. 3 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Šu-Erra royal messenger 40-43. 3 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Šu-Iškur royal messenger when he left (the city of) Der to the king's place 44-45. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Narua-igidu the cook 46-47. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of breed, (for) Puzur-Šuba the cook 48-49. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Ababum the cook 50-51. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Ur-Eana 52-53. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Lu-diĝira 54-56. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Ir-Nanna 57-59. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Šu-Enlila, (who) are boatmen 60-61. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Lu-Nanna 62-64. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Namtiešta, (who) are people (working) on the boat’s bow 65-66. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Apil-nia 67-68. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Ur-Enki 69-70. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Nanna-bazige 71-74. 2 liters of beer 2 liters of bread, (for) Lu-Ninšubur, (who) are boatmen …, when the went to (fetch) the equids for the queen Total : 92 liters of beer […] 186 grams, 89 mm
Specialised collection of cuneiform texts, the property of a London gentleman and housed in London before 1992. Thence by descent to family members. Examined by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert FBA (1926-2011), historian, archaeologist, and specialist in Assyriology and Near Eastern archaeology, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples. Accompanied by a typed and illustrated report with translation. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12120-216213. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Artefact Group
1st millennium A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £33
Including liturgical spoons and other items. 247 grams total, 4.6-22.8 cm
UK private collection before 2000. On the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.