Western Asiatic Carnelian Portrait Gemstone Seal

Comprising a bulb with a sidewall formed from vertical strips, surmounted by a perching bird; possibly a rumbler-bell. 65.75 grams, 80.24 mm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.

Restrung necklace of tubular and fusiform beads with interstitial gold tubular beads, three D-shaped plaques with granulated gold caps, one pierced to accept a pendant. 43.24 grams, 31 cm



Private collection, acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s; thence by descent. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13207-249239.

Texts from Neo-Babylonian times in various archives, such as that of Eanna, concern the smelting of metals for the construction or repair of specific objects, including necklaces. One example from the archive (NCBT 184 - Npl 9 III 1) obv. 3 recites: '3 minas 26 shekels of gold (were) put into the kiln for the necklace of dubkåtu (beads) of Nanåya. It (the gold) is (now) at the disposal of Sadûni. (It was weighed) according to the 3 mina weight of bronze and (smaller) weights of iron.' The jewellers were responsible for cutting the precious stones and beads that were set in the jewellery and other ornamentation produced by the goldsmiths. In this capacity, they were issued beads and unworked pieces (takkassu, sibirtu) of various semiprecious stones, including agate (pappardilû), carnelian (samtu), eye stones (na igiII.mes), lapis lazuli (uqnû), and turquoise (asgikû).

Comprising two chess piece seal matrices, one set with a carnelian intaglio with densely arranged calligraphic inscription, the other with a bronze insert with an inscription; supplied with museum-quality impressions. 10.2 grams total, 24-27 mm



Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Private collection, London.