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LOT 1754
Western Asiatic Bronze Bull Rider
1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
2 in. (84 grams, 51 mm high).
Showing a man on a standing bull, grabbing the hair of a captive with his right hand.
ProvenanceAcquired in the mid 1980s-1990s.
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.
Cf. Ornan, T., ‘The bull and its two masters: Moon and Storm deities in relation to the bull in ancient Near Eastern Art (the phenomenon of shared identical emblematic imagery in Levantine iconography)’ in Israel Exploration Journal, 51 (1), pp.1-26, figs.12-14, for divinities mounting a bull.
FootnotesThe statuette can represent the god storm Hazor, a storm deity with lunar traits. The association between a bull and storm deities is well known on Anatolian sealings from 20th-19th century B.C. The portrayal of a god standing on a bull in conjunction with lunar symbols derived from Old Babylonian cult, where the bull was connected with the Moon as a goddess, and continued in the Near East in association with the god Hazor, identified with El, head of the Canaanite pantheon.
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
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LOT 1754
Western Asiatic Bronze Bull Rider
Estimate £500 - 700€580 - 810 (for guidance only)$680 - 950 (for guidance only)
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Old Babylonian Hematite Cylinder Seal with the Moon God Sin
Mesopotamia, 1900-1700 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £416
With incuse frieze; accompanied by 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, 19 x 9.5 mm., condition good. Three standing figures: to the right a standing god with horned tiara, holding a scimitar in the left hand, the right clasped at the waist; facing him a standing goddess holding a spouting jar, above her a fish perhaps with lion's face; to the left a god with short dress holding up a shepherd's crook. Old Babylonian, c. 1800-1600 B.C., but probably from northern Mesopotamia. The god with the crook is Amurru, god of shepherding. The other two cannot be identified.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 5.9 grams, 18 mm
Mr K. Kobayashi, Osaka, Japan, prior to 1992. Accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1992. -
Western Asiatic Polished Bronze Bowl
Late 1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Conical, deep body with flattened base and thickened rim. 245 grams, 17 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s. -
Western Asiatic Cream Hardstone Bifacial Seal Amulet with Zoomorphic Engraving
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
Spool-shaped disc, one side with a standing lion, the other with a squirrel-like creature standing on its hind legs; pierced for suspension. 35.88 grams, 43 mm
From the private collection of Mr S.M., London collection, by descent, 1970-1999. Property of a West Northamptonshire, UK, gentleman.
