Western Asiatic Style Lapis Lazuli Bead Necklace String

Discoid footed dish with raised rim, central tondo with parcel-gilt ring and 'tamga' motif. 466 grams, 22 cm



Private collection, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13029-247330.

During the Sasanian Empire, the North Iranian ‘tamgas’ became ‘Neshan’ or seals and heraldic symbols of nobility and military personnel, worn on their dress, horses, standards and personal belongings like this vessel. This characteristic continued during the early Muslim domination. Among the Neshan published by Christensen, one particular ‘tamga’, related to an unknown Sasanian clan, recalls exactly half of the one impressed on the present example (Farrokh, 2005, p.23 no.5).

Composed of mixed graduated beads with an elbow bead as the central feature, restrung. 62 grams, 37.2 cm



Ex Ancient Art Shop, Windsor, UK, 1990s. Ex private West County, UK, collection.

Triangular in plan and plano-convex in section with drilled upper face, geometric design to underside. 19 grams, 37 mm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.