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LOT 0202
Old Babylonian Cylinder Seal of Ili-iddinam, Servant of the Goddess Nin-si'anna
CIRCA 1900-1600 B.C.
1 1/4 in. (17 grams, 31 mm).
With three standing figures; accompanied by 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 Black Stone with White Streaks / 31 x 17 mm. / The design consists of three standing figures: a god in short clothes on the right, a worshipper in long robe raising one hand in the middle, and a nude female shown frontally on the left. A spade symbol appears in front of the god on the right. A two line cuneiform inscription names the ancient seal-owner: Ili-iddinam, servant of (the goddess) Nin-si'anna / Nin-si'anna is a name of Ishter-Venus. This is an Old Babylonian seal, c. 1900-1600 B.C. It has a rare stone for the period, but is not deeply cut. The seal is in very good state of preservation.' [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcademically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s.
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.
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.
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LOT 0202
Old Babylonian Cylinder Seal of Ili-iddinam, Servant of the Goddess Nin-si'anna
Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,105
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Early Dynastic Cylinder Seal with Worshipping Parade
Circa 2550-2350 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
Haematite cylinder seal featuring two horizontal registers with worshipping parades comprising long-robed male priests wearing ankle-length garments, seated on the stool-shaped throne, elegantly raising their left hands to hold a cup; other male priests in long garments either holding a vessel containing holy water or oil, or standing in a solemn gesture with hands raised or clasped in front of their chests. 5.26 grams, 32 mm
Acquired in the 1990s. Ex West London family collection. Property of a Bristol, UK, gentleman.
Iconographies and religious scenes seen on Early Dynastic seals are renowned for the further elaborations that depict contesting scenes, usually portraying nude heroes confronting bull-men or rampant, roaring lions. However, animals and heroes were not employed as the favourite motifs during the last part of the Early Dynastic period. Increased popularity of funerary art and banquets were richly practised in Ur, given an ample amount of royal cylinder seals that bear banquet or seated-king related scenes. On Early Dynastic cylinder seals, the image of a seated male figure holding a cup cannot always be interpreted with an extender divinity. It might have suggested a ruler's identity within a royal banquet scene. However, on this seal, the holy vessel and the representations of male worshippers indicate a clear religious significance. Within the traditional Mesopotamian religion, secular kings would have obtained divine power if they had engaged with the goddess Inanna during a sacred marriage. The cup, containing holy ointment or oil, held in the king's hand, might have been as an emblem to signify the elevated rank of a deified king. It might also have been used as an alternative religious practice, connecting the secular authority and the divine power during the Early Dynastic period. -
Large Western Asiatic Bichrome Terracotta Painted jar
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Bulbous in profile with low neck, circumferential painted bands, segmented and hatched lozenge motifs. 2.7 kg, 28.5 cm
Ex London, UK, gallery, 1980s. From a UK private collection. -
Amlash Bronze Openwork Pendant Group
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Comprising three openwork pendants with central cross motifs, applied pellets throughout. 61.2 grams total, 48-51 mm
UK private collection before 2000. On the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.
