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
  4th-2nd millennium BC. A group of eleven seals comprising six accompanied by typed and signed notes by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1933, which state: (R-14) 'Ring-Stone of Lapis, 11 x 8 x 3mm. This is oval with flat face and flat back with rounded edges at the back. the design shows a human seated as if on a curling snake and holding up a rod. This is reported to have come from west central Asia, which is most likely. This type is rare, and so difficult to date with certainty, but perhaps c. 1500-500 B.C. is correct.'; (R-417) 'Half a Gable Stamp Seal of Black Stone, 39 x 28 x 8mm. This shows a finely rendered standing stag with unidentified matter under its snout. This comes from Syria-Anatolia and dates to c. 4000-3400 B.C. It is a large and good quality depiction, but while the stag is virtually complete, the other half of the seal, with no doubt another identical stag, is missing.'; (U-380) 'Stamp Seal of Black/Grey Stone, 47 x 34 x 12mm. This is a gable in shape, pierced through the thickest part. The design shows two standing horned quadrupeds, one above the other, with filling strokes around. This comes from north Syria or Anatolia and dates to c. 400-3400 B.C. it is a large example of its kind, and is in very good condition.'; (U-446) 'Stamp Seal of Black Stone, 26 x 20 x 5mm. This is an oblong plaque, engraved on one side only, with two suspension holes for carrying on a string. The design consists of angular grooves: a pattern of straight strokes or stokes turning at right-angles, never curved. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2500-2300 B.C. It is a rare item and in quite good condition, the corners being a little worn down.'; (T-611) 'Stamp Seal of Black/Green Stone, 15 x 19 x 4.5mm This is an oblong plaque, pierced twice, through opposite corners. Both sides have designs, done in the same style of short wedge strokes. The one shows a recumbent winged quadruped with tree in front of it. The other side also, it seems, depicts a recumbent winged quadruped. This comes from eastern Iran or west central Asia and dates to c. 2000-1500 B.C. It is a rare type, but is worn.'; (W-72) 'Stamp Seal of Grey Stone, 43 x 65 x 6mm. This is an oblong plaque with design on one side, not pierced. The design shows a lion on its haunches with curving tail raised. This comes from northern Mesopotamia or Anatolia and dates to c. 4000-3400 b.C. It is a rare item for both size and shape. Above the lion's back there are crescents on poles and in front of the lion there are less clear scratchings. These may all be secondary. The plaque is worn and chipped and its plain back is much scratched.'; the rest comprising: three oblong plaques, two bifacial stamps and one oblong seal with gable-shaped reverse. 159.7 grams total, 11-65mm (1/2-2 1/2"). The Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; collection numbers 1729, 4074, R-140, R-417, R-586, T-611, V-380, V-446, W-72, W-840, Z-81, academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s. Dr. Bonewitz notes: 'The seals are made from lapis lazuli (2), serpentine (3), bone (1), limestone (5).' [11]

  Condition

  Fine condition.
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