Loading, please wait...
LOT 1622
Sasanian Banded Agate Stamp Seal with Portrait
CIRCA 3RD-7TH CENTURY A.D.
1/2 in. (1.64 grams, 11.42 mm).
With incuse profile bust with beard. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.
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.
-
Western Asiatic Calligraphic Green Jasper Gemstone in Silver Setting
Circa 14th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
An oval gem engraved with two lines of calligraphic text, set in a silver mount with a post. 6.21 grams, 22.07 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s. -
Mitanni Faience Cylinder Seal with Birds and Palm Tree
Circa 1400 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Cylinder with hatched borders, three standing birds facing back towards a standing figure, tree behind; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 1.8 grams, 23 mm
From a late Warwickshire numismatic collector, his collection formed from the early 1980s. -
Babylonian Agate Bead Necklace with Gold Beads
9th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,150
Restrung necklace of tubular and fusiform beads with interstitial gold tubular beads, three D-shaped plaques with granulated gold caps, one pierced to accept a pendant. 43.24 grams, 31 cm
Private collection, acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s; thence by descent. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13207-249239.
Texts from Neo-Babylonian times in various archives, such as that of Eanna, concern the smelting of metals for the construction or repair of specific objects, including necklaces. One example from the archive (NCBT 184 - Npl 9 III 1) obv. 3 recites: '3 minas 26 shekels of gold (were) put into the kiln for the necklace of dubkåtu (beads) of Nanåya. It (the gold) is (now) at the disposal of Sadûni. (It was weighed) according to the 3 mina weight of bronze and (smaller) weights of iron.' The jewellers were responsible for cutting the precious stones and beads that were set in the jewellery and other ornamentation produced by the goldsmiths. In this capacity, they were issued beads and unworked pieces (takkassu, sibirtu) of various semiprecious stones, including agate (pappardilû), carnelian (samtu), eye stones (na igiII.mes), lapis lazuli (uqnû), and turquoise (asgikû).
