Western Asiatic Mixed Glass Bead Necklace

Modelled in the round with tight-fitting robe and carefully detailed tiered hairstyle; right hand raised to support a chalice; peg beneath the feet; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 301 grams total, 11 cm including stand



Acquired on the French art market. From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Iberian statuettes from 6th century B.C. were produced under the influence of Greeks and Phoenicians. Small votive offerings of priests, priestesses, and deities in bronze, were found everywhere in Spain. The body of these figurines is often reduced to a rectangular plaque, but the head, as in all these types, is of plastic work, a process which reminds the prehistoric terracottas from the Argive Heraeum and elsewhere. The curve of the nose, which gives the face a Semitic appearance, is not accidental, and underlines the Phoenician influence.

Barrel-shaped with broad central hole; engraved to the outer face with a 'Gayomard' figure holding spears in his extended hands; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 23.5 grams, 30 mm



with Christie's, London, 21 April 1999, no.11. From the 'Empire' collection, an important UK private collection of seals, no.19 Accompanied by a copy of an old typed cataloguing page signed by A D H Bivar. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12127-217086.

Oblate in form with vertical piercing, one half segmented, and a band of text to the other side, zigzag to the underside. 13.5 grams, 23 mm



From an old English collection, 1990s. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.