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LOT 1515
Western Asiatic Bronze Blade
2ND-1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
20 5/8 in. (454 grams, 52.2 cm).
With a short tang and long blade with swept shoulders, raised midrib.
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
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.
Cf. MacGregor, A., Antiquities from Europe and the Near East in the collection of the Lord McAlpine of West Green, Ashmolean Museum, 1987, no.17.25 and 17.27, for typology.
FootnotesIn the last ninety years, many such tanged blades have been considered coming from production centres of North-West Iran, like Amlash and Marlik, where similar specimens were found. Without context an accurate dating is impossible, but the shape recalls the rapiers of Bronze Age or Early Iron Age.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Western Asiatic Gold Disc Ornament Collection
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Mixed group of domed appliqués in a display frame. 3.21 grams total, 2-11 mm
From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s. 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. -
Mesopotamian Bronze Cylinder Seal with Double-Faced Demon Head
900-700 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
Cylinder with attached cord and bead handle; 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-Stamp Seal of Bronze, 330x08.5 mm. The seal is surmounted by a suspension loop, beneath which is a double-faced demon head with large, animal-like ears and beards. The neck is decorated with horizontal lines at the fronts and vertical lines at the sides. This rests immediately on the seal proper. The design of the cylinder seal is put between double lines above and beneath. It shows a standing worshipper with raised hands before an incense burner, a group of seven dots, a lunar cresent [sic], a lozenge-shape and a slender tree. The base, the stamp seal, shows a winged solar disc. Such seals, which are quite rare, come from the mountainous area to the north of Mesopotamia, and date from c. 900-700 B.C. In this case the worshipper and the winged disc are borrowed from Assyrian art, but the combination of items before the worshipper is not Assyrian. The demon-head cannot be identified with certainty, though it may be a variety of the Mesopotamian Pazuzu.'; accompanied by museum-quality impressions. 7.82 grams total, 8.1-32.64 mm
UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in September 1990. 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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Sasanian Banded Agate Stamp Seal
3rd-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Comprising a domed body carved from banded agate and having a natural crystal-lined cavity to one side, drilled through the base, underside with engraved linear motif, possibly an altar. 14.3 grams, 23 mm
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman. 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.
