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LOT 0238
Sasanian Chalcedony Stamp Seal Inscribed with 'Behnam, Overseer of Work for the King of Kings'
224-651 A.D.
7/8 in. (29.9 grams, 23.48 mm high).
Plano-convex in profile with Pahlavi inscription to the underside; transliterated as: 'Vahnām ī shāhānshāh-kārframān' (meaning 'Behnām, Overseer of Work for the King of Kings'); Bivar notes in his summary: 'This specimen represents a previously unrecorded variety of the so-called "administrative seals" which are engraved only with an inscription defining an office, and have no pictorial motif. It is unusual in apparently bearing a personal name, and in designating its bearer as kārframān "Overseer of Work"....'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression.
Provenancewith Christie's, London, 25 April 2001, no.464 [Part].
Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note typed and signed by A.D.H. (David) Bivar, 9 May 2009.
Accompanied by copies of the relevant Christie's catalogue pages.
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.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0238
Sasanian Chalcedony Stamp Seal Inscribed with 'Behnam, Overseer of Work for the King of Kings'
Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,460
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Amlash Terracotta Single-Handled Jug with Head Attachment
10th-8th century B.C.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £405
Comprising a rounded body resting on three stub legs; funicular mouth and short neck; beneath the rim a mask with pinched nose and two pointed ears, impressed circular eyes and mouth; three vertical decorative strips impressed with the same tool as formed the eyes and mouth; tiered strap handle with two finger-grips to the outer face and impressed detailing running from the neck to the shoulder; rim and one foot partly restored. 723 grams, 20.6 cm
Ex Zackary, Los Angeles, 1960s. Thereafter London art market, 1992. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00079639. 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. -
Luristan Bronze Mouflon Head with Rings
13th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Formed with curved horns meeting the shoulder, two bronze rings attached. 35.6 grams, 40 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. 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. -
Early Bronze Age Silver Idol
Circa 2800-2100 B.C.Estimate: £1,500 - 2,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £222
With round female body and short neck, depicted armless, perforated with two parallel holes at the top for suspension; the edges and the centre embossed with dots. 6.87 grams, 63 mm
From a private family collection formed since the early 19th century, thence by descent. Property of a New Zealand legal professional. 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.12319-223722. 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.
These idols have a broad chronological and spatial range, with late variants known from Late Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age burial contexts in central Europe and Western Asia. Some of these idols have round bodies, and heads in the form of tabs. They developed from the earlier stone idols, leading to the representation of the human form becoming even more stylised when crafted in silver or copper.
