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LOT 1093
Phoenician Silver Seal with Green Scaraboid Seal
900-800 B.C.
1 in. (3.1 grams, 23 mm).
Carved serpentine plano-convex seal with intaglio of a bireme at sea beneath two opposed birds; set in a silver mount with ropework detailing, and kidney-shaped suspension loop. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired in the 1980s.
From the collection of a London antiquarian.
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AUCTIONS:
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Samarkand Ware Calligraphic Ceramic Bowl
Circa 10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Conical with low foot, slip-painted with chestnut brown band to the rim, three calligraphic panels to the inner face below the rim with interstitial red and black rosettes. 620 grams, 22 cm diameter
From the Steel family collection, 1950s-late 1990s. -
Western Asiatic Core Formed Glass Bird
12th century A.D. or laterEstimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
With curved and tapering body decorated with dragged and marvered trails, applied lugs for the wings, eyes and beak, domed green glass foot. 118 grams, 72 mm
Acquired in London, 1992. Private collection, London. -
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Sumerian Limestone Bull Head Protome
3rd millennium B.C.Estimate: £40,000 - 60,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £20,000
With large eyes, the pupils inlaid in black chlorite, bone insert for the sclerae, three arching grooved brows, the wide muzzle with a horizontal incision between the nostrils, closed mouth; sockets to the sides of the head to accept separately made horns and ears; the edge of the neck contoured for attachment; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 1.24 kg total, 14.5 cm high including stand
Private European collection, 1985. with Christie’s, New York, 3 June 2009, no.35. Private collection, Europe. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12358-226703.
In Sumerian mythology, the bull was associated with the storm and rain god Hadad (Iškur), and is widely represented on artworks (Woolley, 1961, pp.46, 52; Kramer, 1979, figs.17, 18, 22). The round inlaid eyes are typical of Sumerian art of Early Dynastic Period, as well as the three eyebrows.
