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LOT 1326
Western Asiatic Bronze Weight Collection
CIRCA 8TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
1/2 - 3/4 in. (135 grams total, 11-20 mm).
Including barrel-shaped, cuboid, biconvex, tabular and other types, some with punched markings. [10, No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx Simmons gallery, London, UK.
Ex North London collection, 1990s.
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AUCTIONS:
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Western Asiatic Mixed Agate and Carnelian Bead Group
1st millennium B.C. and laterEstimate: £500 - 700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £250
Mainly bicones, oblates, rounded and barrel shapes. 272 grams total, 7-28 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Mesopotamian Alabaster Lenticular Necklace Bead Group
Circa 3rd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Comprising a quantity of disc-shaped beads, each pierced for stringing. 53 grams total, 3-10 cm
UK gallery, early 2000s.
While slaves and the poorest people wore simple, functional clothes, the wealthiest classes of Mesopotamia could afford beautifully made jewellery. The royal tombs from Sumeria dating from around 2500 B.C. included an abundance of beaded necklaces, rings, bracelets for the wrist and ankles, stickpins, and other jewellery, made of gold and silver set with decorative gemstones such as deep blue lapis lazuli, red carnelian, white alabaster, and sparkling crystals. In the Lugale-Mythos the Alabaster is personified like a hero: ‘(And) the hero Alabaster, these heroes plundered the cities for him (= Asag)’. The hematite and the limestone/alabaster, two stones with a light and dark base colour, were used as aids in a divinatory ritual in which they were probably connected with the favourable and unfavourable answers to oracle inquiries. -
Urartian Decorated Silver Dress Pin
8th-6th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
Tapering body with carinated top and biconvex head, incised herringbone pattern at the top of the shank to prevent slippage. 28 grams, 95 mm
Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s. Ex Den of Antiquity, Cambridgeshire, UK. Accompanied by a dealer's catalogue information card.
