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LOT 0198
Syrian Hematite Cylinder Seal with Scorpions
1800-1500 B.C.
3/4 in. (5.4 grams, 18 mm).
With scorpions and restrung pair of red stone beads, old handwritten label '1628'; accompanied by an copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder Seal of Hematite, 18x9.5 mm. This seal shows three rows of three scorpions, the middle row facing the opposite direction from the other two. This is a Syrian seal c. 1800-1500 B.C., of an unusual type. It is in fine state of preservation, and the insects are well engraved. The scorpion was a divine symbol ln the Ancient Near East, but in Syria it is not known of which deity it was the symbol. The design is in fact very old, being found in Jemdet Nasr seals c. 3000 B.C., and in Syria artists copied older motifs on many occasions.'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceUK private collection, acquired 1980-1983.
Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in 1992.
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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Neo-Babylonian Agate Duck Weight
700-600 B.C.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £500
Carved in banded agate so that the head and upper back are in opaque white stone, the rest in translucent orange-tan stone. 4.76 grams, 23 mm
Acquired in 1996. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. 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. -
Amlash Bronze Mother Goddess Pendant
13th-12th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
A standing stylised female figure wearing a long robe and holding a child in her arms, punched ring-and-dot motifs to the body and eyes. 18.7 grams, 59 mm
Fine condition.
Ex property of a London gentleman; acquired on the London art market before 2000; previously in a UK collection. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 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. -
Bactrian Chlorite Vessel with Opposing Serpents
3rd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £9,100
With a frieze comprising an eagle with spread wings, two rearing lion-headed serpents above with open jaws; the bodies of the beasts with shallow sockets to accept inserts, some still present. 2.3 kg, 23 cm
with Gallery Rosen Ancient Art, Tel Aviv, 1960s. Ex London, UK, gallery, 1971-early 2000s. London, UK, collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate no.12773-237879. 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.
The chlorite stone vessels of early Bactria were kidney-shaped vessels with simple geometric decoration often representing snakes and other animals. Small cylindrical vases were used as cosmetic containers, together with chlorite cosmetic flasks. Interestingly the eyes and the bodies of the animals were destined to receive inlay, as can be seen on our specimen where some are still in situ.
