Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0299
Western Asiatic Gold Ring with Inscribed Sardonyx Gemstone
10TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (7.33 grams, 27.65 mm overall, 13.76 x 14.32 mm internal diameter (approximate size British E 1/2, USA 2 1/2, Europe 3, Japan 3)).
With stepped shoulders supporting a cell bezel with a claw setting.
Provenance
Private collection, acquired on the German art market in 1993; 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.13183-249300.
Literature
Cf. Wärmländer, Ss.K.T.S., Wåhlander, L., Saage, R., Rezakhani, K., Hassan, S.A.H., 'Analysis and Interpretation of a Unique Arabic Finger Ring from the Viking Age Town of Birka, Sweden' in Scanning, volume 37, 2015, pp.131–137, fig.1 for a gemstone of similar shape with partially similar inscription.
Footnotes
Rings from the 9th-13th centuries represent a variety of artistic achievements; the techniques were elaborate, and the rings show rich decoration. The rings were set with cabochons, table-cut oval or rectangular stones such as turquoise, rubies, garnets or other precious stones. The Arabic inscription, engraved with early Kufic characters, contains the expression “AL__LLH”, which could be interpreted as “il-la-lah”, i.e. “For/to Allah”.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine 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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
LOT 0299
Western Asiatic Gold Ring with Inscribed Sardonyx Gemstone
Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,340
RELATED LOTS
-
Old Babylonian Terracotta Cuneiform Tablet of a Poem
Early 2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,400
Pillow-shaped tablet with a Sumerian hymn to Sin-idinam, king of Larsa (1849-1843 BC), reading: '5-6 (the gods) granted him to exercise, in a sublime manner, kingship and the priestly office. 7-8 They made him sit upon a seat whose foundation is firm, a radiant throne ... 9-10 Once he had firmly secured the crown and the sublime radiance upon his head. 11 Sin, the firstborn son of Enlil, 12 bestowed upon him a sublime name. 13 Utu, the great judge of the universe, 14 caused law and justice to be established for him]. 15 The praise
Specialised collection of cuneiform texts, the property of a London gentleman and housed in London before 1992. Thence by descent to family members. Examined by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert FBA (1926-2011), historian, archaeologist, and specialist in Assyriology and Near Eastern archaeology, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This small collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well-preserved examples. Accompanied by a translation by M. Guichard. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13269-253330.
Old Babylonian tablets were found in regular excavations from Khafaje and Kish, although, even today, the main body came from dealers. A definite date can be assigned to them only based on internal evidence. The scripts of the tablets vary a good deal: some tablets are written in archaic cursive, others in younger cursive, still others mix archaic and younger sign forms. -
Western Asiatic Stone Cylinder Seal with Presentation Scene
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Frieze with two figures flanking a vertical altar, two fleeing animals to the rear, objects in the field; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 1.87 grams, 15.77 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s. -
Western Asiatic Bokhara Gilt Manuscript Page
Circa 1820 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
In a gilt wooden glazed frame with card reveal to both pages; collector's label to reverse with details: 'Dala'il al Khairat Bokhara C.1820. This superb illuminated manuscript is of the popular prayer book, the Dala'il Al Khairat and is thought to have been scribed in Bokhara, some 150 miles from Samarkand. For centuries Bokhara was a centre of Islamic scholarship in Asia. The city had some 360 mosques and nearly 10,000 pupils received their education in 140 madrasas or theological colleges. Many fine manuscripts were scribed there, principally to serve the vibrant Muslim culture. This item is a wonderful example. The script is naskh enclosed in gold clouds, an Indian influence. The central panels are bordered with a meandering vine border of the highest quality. It is sad that about a third of the book was damaged beyond repair. An essential item for collectors, a pearl almost beyond price.' 516 grams, 28.7 x 23.5 cm
Acquired on the UK art market.
