late 3rd millennium BC-6th century AD. A group of ten stamp seals including three accompanied by typed and signed notes by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham 1970-1993, which state: (2006) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 13 x 14.5 x 12mm. This has an octagonal face and faceted sides rising to a low dome, pierced from top to bottom. The design shows a standing horse with head turned backwards. This is a Sassanian seal, c.250-600 A.D. The design is rare, since winged horses with head forwards are common, but not horses without wings. The seal is in good condition.'; (D-48) 'Stamp Seal of Dark-coloured Stone, 35 x 35 x 17mm. This has a flat face and flat back with grooved and pierced handle on the back. it has the shape of a stylized flower with central circle and eight petals. The vertical edges of the petals are grooved, and there are eight drill holes on the back, one in each petal. This comes from west central Asia, and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is in fine condition.'; (Q-14) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 14 x 9 x 14mm. This has a slightly convex oval face, and the back rises steeply to a curving top, through which it is pierced. The design shows a walking horned quadruped with a dot in crescent above its back. This is a rare type of seal, but comes from Syria, Palestine or western Arabia and dates to c.1200-800 B.C. The lower part of the face is rubbed, but generally the seal is in good condition. The dot in crescent represents the crescent- and the full-moon.'; the rest comprising: one square with notched edges, depicting an ibex with symbols in the field; one discoid lapis seal with rosette pattern; one bifacial stamp with drilled pattern to either side, four triangles to one side, each comprising seven dots, and a semi-circle and fork of dots to the other; four plano-convex stamp seals including one brown stone with simple portrait bust, one with three lines of calligraphic text, and one with reverse formed as a zoomorphic face with rounded muzzle and eyes, unidentified design to the stamp; and one amulet formed as a discoid plaque with facing portrait of a man with swept back hair, flat nose and prominent lips. 61 grams total, 12-34mm (1/2-1 1/4"). The Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; collection numbers 1701, 2006, D-48, K-39, Q-14, R-803, Y-389, Y-965, Z-73, Z-79, academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s. Dr. Bonewitz notes: 'The items are made from bronze (2), serpentine (1), agate (2), composition (1), haematite (1) and lapis lazuli (3).' [10]
Condition
Fine condition.