Western Asiatic Stamp Seal 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
  3rd millennium BC-2nd century AD. A group of ten stamp seals including five accompanied by typed and signed notes by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham 1970-1993, which state: (U-71) 'Stamp Seal of Cream Stone, 16 x 16 x 10.5mm. This is round, with notched edge and big loop of one piece on the back. The design is composed of drill-holes: one dot in the centre, five groups of three dots in triangular formation around the central dot, and a single dot filling space by the edge. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is generally in good condition, but there is some damage to the face. The design remains clear.'; (U-88) 'Stamp Seal of Black/Green Stone, 25 x 22.5 x 10mm. This is a hemispheroid with flat face, pierced. The design consists of a simple cross and each vacant quarter so created is filled with two V-shapes. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 4000-3400 B.C. One side is broken off, but what remains is in good condition.'; (T-890) 'Stamp Seal of Green Stone, 27 x 27.5 x 9mm. This is round, with notched edge. The face is flat while the back is convex, with the remains of a suspension loop in the middle. The design on the face is drilled and consists of a central dot surrounded by five groups of three dots arranged in triangular-shapes. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 3500-3000 B.C. There is hard incrustation on some of the surface, which could be removed and the edge as well as the loop is damaged, but the piece is mostly preserved.'; (2009) 'Bifacial Stamp Seal of Green Stone, 18.5 x 8mm. The one side shows a spiralling device with notched curving arms. The other side shows an eight-pointed star with filling motifs between the arms. The seal is pierced at the widest point. This comes from west-central Asia and dates to c. 2500-2000 B.C. The side with the spiral was original with the seal, but the design on the other side may be a little later, perhaps c. 2000-1000 b.C. Similar designs to the spiral have been found on seals coming from the southeast Karakum desert.'; (U-462) 'Relief Plaque of Black, Cream and Brown Stone, 28 x 66 x 11mm. This is oval, with flat face and back that rises to a pierced ridge. The design shows a tiger down on its front paws, with head turned backwards, jaws open and tail raised over rump. This surely comes within the confines of Chinese art, and a date within the Han Dynasty, c. 200 B.C. to 200 A.D. is the most likely. It is an interesting piece, though the purpose is not immediately clear. The holes at the ends are clearly for attachment, but the raised back means that it could not have been fixed to a smooth surface. One end is damaged, otherwise it is in good condition.'; the rest comprising: one bifacial black stone seal depicting a large bird of prey attacking a snake to one side and two attacking quadrupeds to the other; a discoid seal with handled back depicting an ibex with calf surrounded by hatched lines; a black stone plano-convex seal with two figures standing either side of a central column; a discoid ceramic bead pierced transversely with monogram stamp impression to one side; a biconical stone bead with quatrefoil design to either side, pierced transversely. 81.12 grams total, 16-66mm (1/2-2 1/2"). The Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; collection numbers 2009, R-670, T-223, T-890, V-71, V-88, V-462, V-643, W-302, and another, academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s. Dr. Bonewitz notes: 'The seals are made from serpentine (1), jasper (3), limestone (5), composition (1).' [10]

  Condition

  Fine condition.
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