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LOT 1108
Old Babylonian Terracotta Plaque from Nippur
LEVANT, CIRCA 1900-1600 B.C.
4 1/4 in. (5 1/4 in.) (116 grams total, 10.7 cm high (13.5 cm high including stand)).
Plano-convex in section with moulded offering scene depicting a man advancing to his left whilst holding out an animal, probably a goat, with four protruding legs; mounted on a custom-made stand. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1970s-1980s.
Ex Paul S. Forbes collection, Maryland, USA.
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.
Terracotta plaques of this sort were mass- produced from moulds and represented a form of art available to a wide audience. They have been excavated in temples as well as in household shrines and private homes, and give us a mysterious glimpse into religious practices and the ideas that people valued. Their subject matter varies widely, including religious images, mythological and erotic scenes, and representations of rulers and gods.
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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Neo-Assyrian Cylinder Seal with Figures
Circa 800 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Design comprising two pairs of rearing ibexes and other creatures, each crossing its partner forming a saltire; vertical looped-tendril motifs between; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 9.49 grams, 31 mm
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. -
Islamic Bronze Incense Burner Pouring Spout
12th-13th century A.D.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
Tubular in plan with flange above the base, two lateral crescentic loops, partial everted rim with slot and curved rectangular-section spout with pierced strainer. 315 grams, 16.5 cm
Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Private collection, London. 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. -
Large Western Asiatic Bronze Stamp Seal Matrix with Cross
Circa 2200-2000 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Discoid with strap handle to the rear, 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, 68 x 19mm. This is a round compartmented seal with wavy edge and loop handle on the back. The compartments, which rise from a solid back, form a pattern: the circle is divided into four quarters by two crossing bands of nine squares, and opposite quarters have the same design. Two have a bush or tree with branches sprouting from each side of the main stem, two have a scorpion. This is a seal from eastern Iran or Afghanistan, c.2200-2000 B.C. It is a large and fine example, and while there is now much corrosion on the surface, this could be removed with laboratory treatment.' 85 grams, 69 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.