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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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Indo-Gangetic Copper Anthropomorphic Idol
India, circa 1500-1300 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £41,600
A large flat-section figure with curled arms, spread legs, lobed head; mounted on a custom-made stand. 3.24 kg total, 36.3 cm wide
Private English collection, 1950s, and kept in England. Ex Atigh Gallery, pre-1986. with Aaron Gallery, acquired from the above. Accompanied by a copy of the 1986 invoice from Atigh Gallery. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12492-230324. 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.
A cluster of copper artefacts dating to 1500-1000 B.C. was found in the Indo-Gangetic plains (region of Uttar Pradesh), including a number of anthropomorphic figures with downwards curving arms, dome-shaped heads, and spread legs. They were cast in moulds and then hammered with often discernible chisel marks. They can be divided in several distinct categories based on their characteristics, and it has been suggested that these idols functioned as protective guardian spirits. -
Bactrian Steatite Stamp Seal with Elephant
3rd-2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Rectangular with slightly domed top, pierced through the centre, underside with a stylised quadruped with lowered head. 5.53 grams, 23 mm
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman. 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. -
Achaemenid Bronze Bowl
5th-4th century B.C.Estimate: £150 - 200 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £75
With broad flange rim, carinated profile and broad dished base. 225 grams, 15.3 cm
Private collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, 1990s, thence by descent. 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.