3rd-1st millennium BC. A mixed group of nine cylinder seals and a stamp seal, including two accompanied by typed and signed notes by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham 1970-1993, which state: (R-911) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 14 x 13 x 10mm. This is a very thick disc, pierced through the sides. The one flat face shows a heraldic eagle: head at the top, wings spread, and tail feathers down. The other face shows a curling snake. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. The designs are somewhat obscured by corrosion, but the piece has been conserved and the metal is now sound.'; (U-524) 'Cylinder Seal of Yellow Stone, 22 x 9mm. The design is a combination of irregular lines. It appears that a worn seal was given a new lease of life in the ancient world by scratching on the surface random lines. The stone and the six and shape suggest west Iran as the place of origin and c. 1000-500 as the date B.C. With its fresh design the object is likely to have served more as a cheap amulet than as a seal.'; one with horned quadruped, crescent and dots in the field; one with two facing sphinxes; one with two addorsed animals, acanthus and kneeling figure; one with two addorsed stags, standing robed figure and acanthus; one with radiate lozenges between triangular hatched panels; one with entwined tendril design; one with cross-filled disc followed by smaller dot with triangle to each corner; one cylindrical shaped bifacial stamp seal with swirled design to one side, canine head with open jaw to the other; one with linear design. 62 grams total, 14-29mm (1/2-1 1/4"). The Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; collection numbers 68, 1515, 5003, B7(?)4 (149), B-98 (164), R-911, U-524, V-881, W-853, Z-91, academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s. Dr. Bonewitz notes: 'The seals are made from limestone (6), haematite (1), and composition (3).' [10]
Condition
Fine condition.