Western Asiatic Seal and Artefact Collection

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TimeLine Auctions London Mayfair Sale

By TimeLine Auctions Limited

Nov 23, 2018

Set Reminder 2018-11-23 05:00:00 2018-11-23 05:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : TimeLine Auctions London Mayfair Sale https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/timeline-auctions-limited/timeline-auctions-london-mayfair-sale-3572
Auction Venue: The May Fair Hotel London Stratton Street Mayfair London, W1J 8LT Viewing from noon Thursday 22nd Nov. 2018 Champagne Reception: 6pm - 9pm Friday 23rd Nov. 2018 (Day 1) 10am : Lots 1 - 660 TimeLine Auctions Limited enquiries@timelineauctions.com

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• Lot Description
  Mainly 3rd-2nd millennium BC. A mixed group of stone and ceramic seals and beads, including four accompanied by a typed and signed note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which state: (R-132) 'Ancient Engraved Bead 16 x 33 9 mm. This was a barrel-shaped bead, pierced lengthways, and on it one one side a browsing horse was engraved. More recently about one third was cut away leaving the horse as the prominent aspect. This is reported to have come from west central Asia, which is very probable, and a date c. 1000-500 B.C. is the most likely for this rare item. The lower parts of the horse are rubbed, but the whole is entirely clear.'; (1813) 'Fragment of Black Stone with Engraved Animal, 35 x 39 x 13.5 mm. This is a broken piece of a stone tablet which has been re-used by having a linear horned animal put on one side, and a hole drilled for suspension. The animal reminds one of rock carving in the Near East, and this fragment is very probably to be dated c. 3000-1500 B,C. Most likely it was used as an amulet and comes from Syria, Palestine, Anatolia or western Arabia. There are remains of carving on the other side also, perhaps a bird.'; (18) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze 8 x 9 x 4.5 mm. This has an oblong flat face, sides that flare out a little, and a domed top. It is pierced lengthways. The design shows a a [sic] horned animal falling on its front paws, and a linear symbol. This is a pre-Islamic Arabian seal, perhaps c. 300 B.C. to 200 A.D. It is in fine condition.'; (T-966) 'Stamp Seal of bone, 40 x 32.5 x 4mm. This oblong, the whole somewhat curving towards the shorter sides. The design on the face consists of a network of 'passageways' in connecting groups. The emphasis is on avoidance of right angles and long straight lines. There are two holes in the centre of the object for suspension of the piece, both into the same groove. this comes from the Indus valley and dates to the early Harappan period, c. 2500 B.C. Related examples have been excavated at Mehrgarh, but smaller and with simpler designs. This is a rare piece and in quite good condition. The surfaces and edges are worn down, but the whole design remains clear.' 74 grams total, 9-40mm (1/4 - 1 1/2"). The Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; item numbers 18, 50, 1117, 1813, R-132, R-830, R-913, T-966, W-235, V-599, V-659; academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s with notes for 18, 1813, R-132. Dr. Bonewitz notes: 'The items are made from ceramic (3), jasper (3), white metal (1), bone (1), jet (2) and serpentine (1).' [11]

  Condition

  Fine condition.
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