Syrian Haematite Cylinder Seal with Birds

Composed of small cylindrical beads with a lozenge-shaped pendant, restrung. 3.19 grams, 31 cm



Ex late Japanese gentleman's private collection, 1970-2010. Accompanied by a previously illustrated catalogue card with provenance.

Oval in plan with a tapering drilled central socket. 360 grams, 81 mm



Ex private collection, Contessa L.G., since the 1980s. Private collection, acquired in 1999.

The mace was a close-combat weapon consisting of a short handle and a massive striking element—the head, a striking weapon capable of inflicting severe contusions and internal fractures. Although a very archaic and rather primitive weapon, the mace was nevertheless widely used in the ancient East. Its sacred and representative role was particularly significant. Due to its shape, it symbolised the owner's masculinity and was therefore one of the primary insignia of power, symbolising the inseparability of its civil, military, and sacred-magical essences—ensuring the functioning and reproduction of the collective and the conditions for its existence. This is why we so often encounter ‘ceremonial’ maces, especially those made of stone—in this case, undoubtedly a ritual material. However, it must be said that stone, as a material for a mace head, was in no way inferior to metal in terms of combat qualities, while being much more labour-intensive to manufacture, which was precisely what appealed to the ritual, symbolic role of this weapon.

Carved bag-shaped body with two lateral unpierced lug handles at the shoulder, flared rim to the mouth. 984 grams, 12.5 cm



Ex William Ohly, 1883-1955. Ex Abbey Museum, Barnet, by descent.