Sasanian Marbled Agate Stamp Seal with Bull

Restrung and comprising mainly spherical, elongated ovals, oblates, and biconical shapes; accompanied by a custom-made lined display box. 224 grams, 56 cm



Numismatic and Ancient Art Gallery AG, Ancient Art of the Mediterranean World, No 8, no.5, c.1982. Taisei Gallery, Gold & Silver Auction, Part II, Ancient to Renaissance, 5 November 1992, The Conrad Salon, The Waldorf-Astoria, New York, no.39. Private collection, London. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13265-253358.

The Sumerian word for silver is kú-babbar, which means ‘white metal’. Silver was mined from ores that contained significant amounts of other metals and impurities and therefore requires a great deal of further processing before it can be used. It was considered sacred and immutable, and an extremely high-status material, used for royal jewellery.

Cylinder seal mounted on a card backing with wooden edging; plaster impression; old collector's handwritten notes '40. Néo Assyrien 9°-7° siècle Av.J.C. Calcedoine. Thème du maître des animaux saisissant deux bouquetins. Au centre de la ronde des animaux se tient un griffon ailé. Dans le champ, étoile d'Ishtar. Derrière le héros se dresse un lion qui s'apprête à saisir un bouquetin cabré.' (40. Neo-Assyrian. 9th-7th century BC. Theme of the master of animals seizing two ibexes. In the centre of the circle of animals stands a winged gryphon. In the field, the star of Ishtar. Behind the hero appears a lion who prepares to seize a rearing ibex.); supplied with a museum-quality impression. 31 grams total, seal: 24 mm



Antonovitch Gallery, Paris, 1978. Chesnes Gallery, Lyon, 1982. Acquired at Drouot, Paris, 2022. Private collection, London, UK.

Broad and squat with rounded sidewall and lip to the inner edge of the mouth. 280 grams, 18.3 cm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.