Loading, please wait...

Phoenician Scarab Seal for Belonging to H-N-N (The Merciful) Phoenician Scarab Seal for Belonging to H-N-N (The Merciful) Phoenician Scarab Seal for Belonging to H-N-N (The Merciful) Phoenician Scarab Seal for Belonging to H-N-N (The Merciful) Phoenician Scarab Seal for Belonging to H-N-N (The Merciful) Phoenician Scarab Seal for Belonging to H-N-N (The Merciful) Phoenician Scarab Seal for Belonging to H-N-N (The Merciful) Phoenician Scarab Seal for Belonging to H-N-N (The Merciful) Phoenician Scarab Seal for Belonging to H-N-N (The Merciful)
Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge
Details

LOT 0041

Phoenician Scarab Seal for Belonging to H-N-N (The Merciful)

CIRCA 800-400 B.C.

3/4 in. (4.76 grams, 20 mm).

Accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stamp Seal of Chalcedony/Carnelian 14.5 x 20 x 10 mm. This s a scarab on a flat base, the insect nicely modelled, and the seal design on the flat base is contained within a linear border. It shows a prancing lion above a fallen bull and there is an inscription in the West Semitic alphabet [three characters] l-h-n-n Property of H-n-n. This is a Phoenician seal, exact date not easy to fix but c.800-400 B.C. is the likely range. The seal, which is not pierced, is chipped around the edges but otherwise in very good condition.'

Provenance

Acquired on the German art market, 1989-1995.
with The Museum Gallery, 19 Bury Place, London, WC1, UK, 1998-2003.
Property of a London based academic, 2003 to present.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12634-233894.
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.

CONDITION
VETTING:

TimeLine 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.

Live Bidding

LOT 0041

Phoenician Scarab Seal for Belonging to H-N-N (The Merciful)

Estimate £3,500 - 4,500€4,060 - 5,220 (for guidance only)$4,730 - 6,080 (for guidance only)

Print page

RELATED LOTS
  • Egyptian Pre-Dynastic Greywacke Palette
    Egyptian Pre-Dynastic Greywacke Palette
    Predynastic Period, Naqada III, circa 3300–2960 B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £468

    Circular in plan with smoothed faces, pierced through the edge. 238 grams, 13.3 cm



    Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Palettes were utilitarian objects used in the Predynastic Period to grind and mix mineral-based eye pigments (including ochre, malachite, and haematite). Greywacke cosmetic palettes were easily carved in various shapes and sizes, including zoomorphic representations and geometric forms. The symbolism of this circular palette may be connected to the sun disc, which featured prominently in ancient Egyptian culture. The palette was so significant in Predynastic society that purely ceremonial versions, often impractically large for their original purpose, were produced for use in temple rituals. The most famous is the highly decorated Narmer Palette discovered at Hierakonpolis.

    Lot Details

  • Egyptian Silver Snake Ring
    Egyptian Silver Snake Ring
    1st millennium B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £910

    Comprising a round-section tapering body with intricate scale detailing, the head resting on the body, detailed face with closed mouth and rounded eyes, an applied gold annulet with two granules above the head; part of the tail absent. 6.79 grams, 26.03 mm overall, 15.77 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J, USA 4 3/4, Europe 8.69, Japan 8)



    Ex Dr Leo Mildenberg, Zurich, 1990s. Acquired by Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, from the above in 1999. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Snake rings were not originally a traditional form in Egypt and only became common during the Ptolemaic and Roman Periods. Animal-shaped rings, including those with snake motifs, originated in Western Asia around the eighth century BC, spread to Greece by the fifth century BC, and were introduced to Egypt primarily through the Ptolemaic Period. In Greek culture, snakes were often linked to healing, though they likely carried other symbolic meanings as well.

    Lot Details

  • Egyptian Glazed Faience Shabti Collection
    Egyptian Glazed Faience Shabti Collection
    Ptolemaic Period, 332-30 B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £312

    Comprising five mummiform figures in different colours, each with a false beard and wearing a lappet wig. 54 grams total, 46-91 mm



    Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Shabti figures were created to perform heavy manual tasks on behalf of a person in the afterlife. The body of a shabti typically resembled a mummy from the neck down and was often depicted holding tools such as baskets, mattocks, and hoes. Over time, the number of shabtis in a standard elite burial increased, so that from the Third Intermediate Period onward, it became common to have at least 401 figurines, comprising 365 workers, one for each day of the year, plus 36 overseers, one for every ten workers.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list