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LOT 0955
Sassanian Cloak Pin with Lion's Paw
CIRCA 4TH-5TH CENTURY A.D.
5 in. (22.1 grams, 12.6 cm).
A copper-alloy hair pin with tapering round-section stem, bifacial lion's paw terminal.
ProvenanceAcquired before 2000.
From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
Cf. similar pin in bone in BM, inventory no.2007,6002.417 from Erk-Kala, near Merv.
FootnotesIn the Parthian and Sassanian Empires and the Graeco-Roman world, elaborate coiffures were a form of conspicuous consumption and continued to be one of the most common forms of reifying social status and economic wealth. Often using expensive ornaments, such as gold and silver hairpins and wigs, these coiffures must have made it clear who had the leisure time to expend several hours creating an elaborate hairstyle.
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:
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A restrung designer necklace composed of mainly glass, stone and faience beads of various types and sizes, including spherical, ribbed, barrel, facetted and other types; in various shades of blue. 8.2 grams, 68 cm long
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Central Asian Eagle and Snake Compartmented Seal Pendant
23rd-20th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
A copper-alloy compartmented stamp seal formed as a geometric style eagle with spread wings, a coiled snake gripped in its talons; suspension loop to reverse. 17.6 grams, 47 mm
1980s-early 1990s collection, UK. -
Islamic Marble Sundial Made By Sheikh Abol Hassan Mansor Saif
14th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £9,100
A rare rectangular marble shadow clock or sundial with three chamfered edges, scrolls and foliate tendrils framing panels of Kufic script to the sides reading, to the left 'Mohammed is his messenger of God' and to the right 'There is no God but Allah'; also inscribed with the maker's name to the front: Sheikh Abol Hassan Mansor Saif; with a sun dial to the upper face framed by a rope border; copper-alloy spike to the upper face to accept the gnomon. 64.7 kg, 71 cm wide
From an important Paris gallery, France. with Antiquite Brocante Chateau, Vente Encher, 6 March 2009. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13022-199340.
