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Details
LOT 1400
West Central Asian Bronze Star-Shaped Stamp Seal
CIRCA 2300-2000 B.C.
1 5/8 in. (18.5 grams, 41 mm).
With segmented face and pierced lug handle; accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: ' Stamp Seal of Bronze. 39x41x8 mm. This has the shape of a seven-pointed star marked on the convex back as if seven petals around the central loop handle. The face is flat and has a design engraved into it. The interpretation of the design is not completely sure, but it seems to involve an eagle, perhaps carrying off prey. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is a rare type and the design is fascinating. The metal has been conserved and the piece is in very good condition.'
Provenance
From the collection of the late Mr S, 1970-1990s.
Accompanied by an original typed and signed scholarly note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993.
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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This bowl is possibly part of a set of nearly identical vessels, probably used at the table of royal Satrapes. Persian governors used banquets to display their wealth and power by imitating the royal banquets. It was a greater honour for them to receive a drinking vessel such as this as a gift from the King of the Kings – establishing one’s status as a royal dinner guest. No doubt it took practice to drink adeptly from a vessel like this: however the omphalos in the base would have made it easier to hold with one hand, with the middle finger hooked inside the indentation and the thumb stretched out to grip the vessel at or near the rim.
