Western Asiatic Black Stone Cylinder Seal with Insects

Lozengiform in plan, with a dense, grooved geometric pattern. 5.49 grams, 27.39 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

D-shaped in profile with a round-section loop; obverse with a reserved scene of two lions with hatched detailing to the fur advancing towards a small quadruped placed perpendicular to them; reverse with a median eagle with wings extended and feather detailing, flanked by rearing serpents and a scorpion; mounted on a custom-made stand. 6.25 kg total, 28.3 cm high including stand



with Gallery Rosen Ancient Art, Tel Aviv, 10 November 1969. Ex London, UK, gallery, 1971-early 2000s. London, UK, collection. Accompanied by a copy of an original invoice from Gallery Rosen Ancient Art, 10 November 1969. 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.13246-252973.

Among the most iconic intercultural style objects are the so-called 'lock' or 'handbag' weights. They have been found in a variety of different colourful stones, such as breccia, chlorite, fossiliferous limestone, calcite and onyx. At the beginning, these objects were probably not weights at all, but were likely badges of high office, carried to indicate authority. Similar objects have been found throughout Mesopotamia, the islands of the Persian Gulf, on the Iranian steppe, and in the Indus Valley.

Conical, deep body with flattened base and thickened rim. 245 grams, 17 cm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.