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LOT 0228
Western Asiatic Amethyst Bead Necklace with Gold Beads
CIRCA 4TH-2ND CENTURY B.C.
20 3/4 in. (69.6 grams, 52.5 cm).
A designer necklace composed of forty amethyst beads of various shapes and six gold spheres, decorated with granulation and spirals, forming opposed pelta patterns; with later openwork clasp.
ProvenanceAcquired on European art market, 1990s.
Private collection of Mr K.A., France.
with Kallos Gallery, London.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.13012-246749.
Cf. Marshall, F.H., Catalogue of the Jewellery, Greek, Etruscan and Roman, in the Department of Antiquities, British Museum, London, 1911.no.2044, for a necklace of similar gold spheres.
FootnotesAmethyst was widely used in Graeco-Roman Egypt. We know that the amethyst mines of Abu Diyeiba, near Semna, were in use from the time of Ptolemy VI through to the Roman era. Pliny says that Indian amethysts were the best, but he also refers to amethysts from Egypt. The Egyptian amethysts are typically flawed and of a pale, almost pink, hue. They were seldom set in gold and were most usually made into beads. Ptolemaic and Roman inscriptions and artefacts have been found at amethyst mines in Egypt’s eastern deserts.
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LOT 0228
Western Asiatic Amethyst Bead Necklace with Gold Beads
Estimate £2,500 - 3,500€2,900 - 4,060 (for guidance only)$3,380 - 4,730 (for guidance only)
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Syrian Stone Cylinder Seal with Storm God and Fertility Goddess
Circa 1800-1700 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
With standing figures and animals, accompanied by a 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, 21.5 x 11 mm. The design is made up of two parts. The main scene shows two facing deities. On the left stand the Storm God, Hadad or Teshup, wearing a short kilt and a spiked helmet. A long plait of hair falls down his back. In his raised right hand he holds a mace, in the left a long spear and a bow(?). On the right stands a goddess, nude, having thrown back her cloke, and standing above a bull. This goddess is either Anat or Ashtart, goddess or fertility. There are four fillers in the main scene, two discs, a human hand and an unidentified item. The minor scene consists of a row of three walking humans, the first with one hand raised, below two facing birds. The whole engraing is set between lines, one above one below. This seal in Syrian, c. 1800-1700 B.C. and is a typical example of the interest which the Syrian engravers put into their seals. It is somewhat worn, but the whole of the design is clear, having been cut deeply in the original stone.'; accompanied by a museum quality impression and pair of red stone beads. 6.58 grams, 21 mm
Anonymous French sale. Private collection, London, UK. Accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Pan Weight
Circa 10th century A.D.Estimate: £50 - 70 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Biconvex in profile with broad flat faces. 136 grams, 34 mm
From the London collection of the late Mr S.M., 1969-1999. -
Early Bronze Age Silver Idol
Circa 2400-2100 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,872
Of unusual double pelta type, symbolising a female human body, embossed dots to the perimeter and two holes to the centre. 17.88 grams, 64 mm
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.12318-223718.
