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LOT 0901
Western Asiatic Stone and Shell Bead Necklace
CIRCA 1ST MILLENNIUM B.C. AND LATER
18 in. (18.9 grams, 46 cm long).
Restrung with two central feature beads; composed of graduated beads of various types of stone, glass and shell. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceUK gallery, early 2000s.
LiteratureCf. Hussein, M.M., Altaweel, M., Gibson, McGuire, Nimrud The Queen’s Tombs, Baghdad-Chicago, 2016, p.180, pls.18,144 lett.b and c, for similar bead necklaces made of a mixture of stones, included faience.
FootnotesSimilar beads were found during the excavations of the royal tombs of Nimrud. Thousands of beads were discovered in the sarcophagi, including those of Nimrud’s Queens; they probably originally formed part of wide collars with multiple strands.
CONDITIONTimeLine 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:
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Nabataean Pottery Basket
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £500
Ceramic calathus with carination below the rim, fluted strap handle, white painted stripes to the inner rim; very rare. 567 grams, 17.5 cm high
From a family collection, London, pre 1988. -
Neo-Assyrian Winged Gryphon Bone Plaque
Circa 700 B.C.Estimate: £4,000 - 6,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £2,000
Rectangular carved furniture panel with raised frame above and below the central figure modelled in the half-round; the figure an advancing gryphon with head raised and wings spread, hair falling in three locks to the shoulder, tail raised; the wing with raised rims to the feathers forming cells to accept an inlay in contrasting colour; remains of tenons above and below; Phoenician style; mounted on a custom-made stand. 274 grams total, 10 cm wide including stand
Ex Florida collection, purchased from Kelekian, New York, prior to 1970. Acquired by the current owner from the above. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11971-209611.
The figure is shown with the head raised; the example in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is very similar, is eating the flowers of a tiered papyrus plant. Many such plaques were manufactured in workshops at Nimrud, but some may have been plundered from the treasuries of defeated enemies. -
Nabataean Standing Stone Figure
Circa 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £286
The figure depicted with kyphosis and emphasised head; dressed hair and stylised facial features with high forehead and open mouth with full lips; arms held at waist level with crossed hands; dressed in a textured tunic. 149 grams, 97 mm
Acquired in the 1970s, thence by descent 2012. Private UK collection, Cambridge, UK. Property of an East Sussex, UK, gentleman. Old collection label to the base inscribed 'Petra'.