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LOT 0288
Western Asiatic Gold Ring with Boar Gemstone
14TH CENTURY A.D. AND EARLIER
1 in. (8.63 grams, 25.72 mm overall, 18.95 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)).
With a keeled hoop and openwork shield-shaped shoulder with scroll ornament, a diamond-shaped shield with a cross to the base of the hoop; large bezel with an applied stylised bird underneath, the sides with pellet ornament in three rows, four claws holding the 4th-5th century Sassanian intaglio depicting a boar devouring the leg of its prey. [No Reserve]
ProvenancePrivate collection, USA, acquired in the 1990s.
Accompanied by a copy of a previous cataloguing information page.
Cf. Wenzel, M., Ornament & Amulet. Rings of the Islamic Lands (The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art), London, 1993, no.292, for a silver ring of similar design.
FootnotesIt was a fairly common practice to re-use Sassanian intaglios in Islamic rings from Iran. In Eastern cultures the boar was a sacred animal with magical powers.
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AUCTIONS:
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Elamite Necklace with Gilt Silver Pendants
Mid 1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £110
A restrung necklace of fusiform carnelian beads with silver-gilt spacers, seven hollow-formed silver pendants each with a domed upper face and repoussé rosette motif, second loop to the lower edge. 54 grams, 36 cm
Fine condition.
Acquired before 1990. Central London gallery. Private collection of a North West London lady. -
Neo-Babylonian Jasper Duck Weight
Circa 600 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
Formed as a duck with the head and neck laid along the spine, design to the underside of sunburst and crescent. 4.15 grams, 19 mm
Ex Simmons gallery, London, UK. Ex North London collection, 1990s. -
Chalcedony Pendant Stamp Seal with Mythical Creature
Circa 8th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,690
An Assyrian or Urartian bell-shaped seal featuring a ribbed suspension loop attached to a stepped base; on the convex underside of the seal, there is an intricate engraving depicting a mythical creature that combines the body of an eagle with a fish tail; this hybrid creature is depicted facing to the left and holding a hare in its beak, with a snake coiled around the seal's perimeter; accompanied by a museum-quality impression and a typed and signed scholarly note issued by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stamp Seal of Chalcedony / 23 x 14.5 mm. / This has a round, convex face, and above it is a cylinder with sharply concave sides, on top of which is (of one piece with the rest) a pierced lug with grooves over its top. The design on the base shows a standing composite creature: legs, wings and head of a bird, but body of a fish. In its beak it is holding a dead hare or other such creature. Around the design is a snake, whose body does not quite complete the circle. / This is an Urartian seal, from the ancient Kingdom of Urartu, c. 800-650 B.C. It comes from the area around Lake Van. The composite creature is a typical feature of the art of this kingdom. The snake is interesting, since it is the forerunner of the famous Ourobouros on magic gems of the period c. 100 B.C. to 200 A.D. It often appears surrounding a design, but it has its tail in its mouth. This seal has very slight chipping of the edges, but generally is in very good condition.' 4.71 grams, 23 mm
Private collection, England, 1990. European art market. Anonymous sale; Christie's, New York, 6 December 2007, no.374. From the 'Empire' collection, an important UK private collection of seals. with Bonhams, London, 7 December 2021, no.64 (£3,000 - £4,000). Accompanied by a copy of a typed and signed scholarly note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993.
