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LOT 1081
Sumerian Alabaster Head
3RD-2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
1 1/4 in. (17.14 grams, 31 mm).
Exquisitely carved in a naturalistic manner with sculpted nose and ears, rounded cheeks, forehead and chin; hollowed eyes probably to accept inserts, delicate incisions enhancing the facial features and adding wrinkles to the face; a hollowed tubular shaft to the base of the head.
ProvenanceFrom a major London, UK, collection of Mr S.M., formed from 1970-1999.
Accompanied by a previous typed cataloguing card.
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AUCTIONS:
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Western Asiatic Bronze Seal Matrix
2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £80 - 100 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £44
With a tongue-shaped handle placed perpendicular to the oval body; separately made intaglio with geometric motifs. 9.95 grams, 19 mm
From an important collection formed before 1988, London and Geneva. -
Bactrian Lapis Lazuli Tubular Bead with Snake
3rd millennium B.C.Estimate: £700 - 900 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £280
Square in section, tubular bead with reserved coiled serpent, head at each end. 3.32 grams, 36 mm
with Gallery Rosen Ancient Art, Tel Aviv, 1968. with a London, UK gallery, 1971-early 2000s. Includes a copy of the original 1968 invoice. -
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Achaemenid Heavy Gold Earring Pair
Circa 6th-4th century B.C.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,500
A matched pair of large earrings decorated with pomegranates on the outer edge, the crescentic body divided in transversal grooves representing the abdomen of a bee, with granulation on the inner and outer edge, a horizontal gold wire with circlets to the centre. 23.78 grams total, 38 mm each
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.12326-223715.
Fruit were generally considered to be a symbol of sensuality, temptation and fertility; the giving and accepting of fruit may be regarded as a symbolic sexual act, or at least a prelude to marriage. It follows naturally that the pomegranate, with its innumerable fleshy seeds symbolising life and fecundity, was an attribute of Aphrodite.
