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LOT 0205
Parthian Electrum Earring Pair
2ND CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.
7/8 in. (10.02 grams total, 21 mm each).
A matching pair of gold hoop earrings, each composed of a tapering hoop with expanded central section, adorned on both faces with gold pellets, pyramid clusters and a larger pyramid cluster finial with pyramid granules to each pellet; hinged closure. [2]
ProvenanceAcquired 1970-2010.
Collection of a late Japanese gentleman.
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AUCTIONS:
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Western Asiatic Gold Pendant Collection
Mid 1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
A group of four gold pendants: one segmented pedant on a chain with domed plaques; one circular set with polished garnet; a lozenge-shaped plaque with granulated border and knop to three corners; flower bud-shaped pendant with suspension loop. 0.84 grams total, 9-14 mm
Acquired 1970-2010. Collection of a late Japanese gentleman. -
Aramaic Magical Bowl Bearing an Incantation Against Evil Spirits
4th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
A ceramic flat-based bowl, inscribed in spiral from the bottom inner wall to the rim with Aramaic text, and on the outer rim. 692 grams, 19.5 cm wide
Early 1990s London collection. Acquired on the UK art market. From a private collection, Lancashire, UK
Aramaic incantation bowls are particular to the Sassanian period and have been found in the regions of modern Iraq. These simple ceramic bowls, also known as magic bowls, each contain an Aramaic inscription, written in ink, which spirals from the centre. The bowls seem to have played an important part in domestic life. For example, during excavation in Nippur in 1889, one or more incantation bowls were found in each house together with domestic artefacts, most often in doorways or under floorboards in the corner of rooms. The bowls are predominantly apotropaic, and the inscriptions tend to protect their owners from misfortunes such as child-birth, illness and evil spirits. -
Western Asiatic Trans-Tigridian Cylinder Seal
Circa 25th-23rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £585
A shell cylinder seal with scenes in two registers; 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 fossil shell, 45 x 17 mm. Two registers: above two seated figures drinking beer from a pot through straw, palm tree terminal. Below: contest scene of hero, two domestic quadrupeds and two lions. trans-Tigridian, c.2500-2300 B.C. Condition fair.' 23.4 grams, 45 mm
From an important family collection. 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. Accompanied by a typed and signed note by Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993.
'Trans-Tigridian' in this context means 'from across the River Tigris', i.e. from the region between the Tigris and the Zagros mountains, between the Iranian highlands and Mesopotamia.