Loading, please wait...
_900x900.jpg "Old Babylonian Cylinder Seal with Two Standing Figures")
_200x200.jpg "Old Babylonian Cylinder Seal with Two Standing Figures")
.jpg "Old Babylonian Cylinder Seal with Two Standing Figures")
LOT 0218
Old Babylonian Cylinder Seal with Two Standing Figures
2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
1 1/8 in. (8.96 grams, 27 mm).
Representing a god in short mantle and round cap with upturned brim, holding a mace in his left hand, before him a goddess standing in a horned crown and kaunakes, her hands raised in supplication; accompanied by a museum-quality impression.
ProvenanceEx Mr J.K. collection, USA.
Acquired from the above, 1997.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12581-232131.
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.
Cf. Eisen G.A., Ancient oriental cylinder and other seals with a description of the collection of Mrs. William H. Moore, Chicago, 1942, no.64, for a similar seal from the Old Babylonian Empire.
FootnotesThe seals of the First Isin Dynasty were much more varied than those just preceding the Third Dynasty of Ur. Often the chief god - probably Shamash - is standing, and the 'introducing' goddess is facing him, while the worshipper is not pictured. The seals are a mine for the understanding of the old Babylonian costume. The tunic of the female goddess here is made of tufted material that the Greeks called kaunakes, the weave of which imitated the effect of the earlier sheepskin costumes.
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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
LOT 0218
Old Babylonian Cylinder Seal with Two Standing Figures
Estimate £1,500 - 2,000€1,740 - 2,320 (for guidance only)$2,030 - 2,700 (for guidance only)
-
.jpg)
Akkadian Shell Cylinder Seal with Heroes
2350-2200 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,720
Representing a god with horned helmet, half animal and half man, standing on the left and holding a staff, near him the hero Gilgamesh killing Humbaba, and the hero Enkindu killing the celestial bull, followed by a mythological divinity depicted as half animal and half human; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 27 grams, 33 mm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12577-232112. 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.
King Sargon of Akkad created political unity when he seized control of Mesopotamia, and carvings on seals from the time demonstrate his success by portraying the power the Akkadian gods had to legitimize both their domain and their rulers. Religious scenes on cylinder seals detail the spiritual beliefs and practices of the time. The deeply intertwined relationship between religion and state power in Akkad is also present in the decorations of some cylinder seals. Here the hero Gilgamesh, embodying the strength of royal power, kills the monster Humbaba, as the king of Akkad kills his enemies. -
Neo-Assyrian Cream Stone Cylinder Seal with Bull
Circa 800-600 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
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 Cream Stone. 24 x 12 mm. The design, which is put between upper and lower rulings, shows a walking bull facing a stylized sacred tree: a straight trunk with five-branch crown, surrounded by scalloped line supporting seven leaves. There is a rhomb between bull and tree, and a star and Maltese cross above the bull's back. This is a Neo-Assyrian seal, c.800-600 B.C. It is one of the rarer types, deeply cut, and in good condition. The bull and the tree are both symbols of the storm god Adad, who had an important place in the Neo-Assyrian pantheon. The star is the symbol of Ishtar/Venus, also an important Assyrian deity, but the Maltese cross is so far not certainly identified.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 5.78 grams, 24 mm
From the private collection of a North American lady, formed 1970s-early 1990s, with collection reference no.590/2. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert. 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. -
.jpg)
Levant Red Jasper Cylinder Seal with Figures
Circa 1200-900 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
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 Red Jasper, 28.5 x 11.5 mm. Row of five figures, four standing, one apparently sitting, all with raised hand or hands; dots fill vacant spaces. This is a very rare type of cylinder, from the Levant c. 1200-900 B.C. the cutting is crude, but the impression of an enthusiastic throng is made clear. Though one can only guess, probably this is a religious celebration. The design is enclosed within upper and lower rules. the condition is good.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 6.74 grams, 23 mm
UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed 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.
