2300-2200 BC. A carved black jasper cylinder seal with frieze of a bull and figures; accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: Cylinder Seal of Black Stone, 24 x 16 mm. In the centre of the scene is a walking bull with head down on whose back is the so-called 'winged gate'. On either side is a god on one knee holding either side of the structure on the bull's back. As a terminal there is a star on a rod. This is an Akkadian seal, c.2300-2200 B.C., from Mesopotamia. So far the identify [sic] of the structure on the bull's back is not known. Though worn, this seal is full of interest. 11 grams, 24mm (1"). From a London, UK, collection; acquired 1970s. This lot is part of a single collection of cylinder seals which were examined in the 1980s by Professor Lambert and most are accompanied by his own detailed notes; the collection has recently been reviewed by Dr. Ronald Bonewitz. Fine condition.
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1900-1700 BC. A carved limestone cylinder seal with figural frieze and cuneiform text; accompanied by a museum-quality impression and an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: Cylinder Seal of Dark Stone, 25.5 x 11mm. On the right of the scene is a standing figure dressed in a short kilt, bare-headed, and holding a rod with one hand at the waist, which rests over the one shoulder. Facing him is a standing figure dressed in a long fringed robe, with both hands at the waist. Behind him is a third figure, also in a long robe, but raising one hand. There are five filling motifs: a lunar crescent, a monkey, the 'vessel' and 'ball-staff' and a lion-headed standard. There is a two-line cuneiform inscription: ?i-lí-dadad ?illi-Addad / dadad of Adad. This names the seal's owner. This is an Old Babylonian seal, c.1900-1700 B.C., from Babylonia or a nearby area. Though a little worn, everything can be made out. 5.11 grams, 26mm (1"). Property of a North London collector; acquired in the 1970s. This lot is part of a single collection of cylinder seals which were examined in the 1980s by Professor Lambert and most are accompanied by his own detailed notes; the collection has recently been reviewed by Dr. Ronald Bonewitz. Very fine condition.
1900-1700 BC. A carved limestone cylinder seal with frieze of two deities and cuneiform inscription; accompanied by a museum-quality impression and an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: Cylinder Seal of Black Stone, 26 x 12.5 mm. The design consist of two facing figures, one the right a standing Lamma-goddess, with horned tiara, long flounced robe and raising both hands. On the left is the god with mace, wearing a hat with brim, a short kilt to the knees, and holding a mace in one hand at the waist. Between them is a recumbent goat, from whose back rises a shepherd's crook. There is a two-line cuneiform inscription: dmar-dú Amurru / dumu an-na son of Anum. Amurru was the Babylonian shepherd god, to whom the crook is a symbol. This is an Old Babylonian seal, c.1900-1700 B.C., from Mesopotamia or south-west Iran. 8.32 grams, 26mm (1"). Property of a North London collector; acquired in the 1970s. This lot is part of a single collection of cylinder seals which were examined in the 1980s by Professor Lambert and most are accompanied by his own detailed notes; the collection has recently been reviewed by Dr. Ronald Bonewitz. Fine condition, small chip to edge.
13th-10th century BC. A carved haematite cylinder seal with design of pellets and lines; accompanied by a museum-quality impression and typed and signed scholarly note issued by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: Cylinder Seal of Black Stone. 44 x 17 mm. The design consists of a vertical band with some zig-zag filling and an abstract design of dots and strokes with no apparent natural depiction. This is a rare type of seal from Syria/Anatolia, c.1300-1000 B.C. the surface is a little worn, but most of the design remains entirely clear. 24 grams, 44mm (1 3/4"). Private collection, London, UK; formed 1970s-1980s. Very fine condition.
2200-2100 BC. A carved agate cylinder seal with frieze of animals and a standing figure; accompanied by a museum-quality impression and typed and signed scholarly note issued by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: Cylinder Seal of Brown Stone. 14 x 8.5 mm. The design shows a standing apparently nude hero succouring in each arm a rearing horned animal, each of which is being attacked by a rearing lion with erect tail. A tree or bush serves as a terminal. This is an Akkadian seal from Babylonia or a neighbouring area. It is small, but the work is neatly done and the seal is in very good state of preservation. 1.82 grams, 14mm (1/2"). Private collection, London, UK; formed 1970s-1980s. Very fine condition.
3rd millennium BC. A limestone cylinder seal with star, quadruped and cuneiform text; accompanied by a typed scholarly note issued by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: Cylinder Seal of White/Yellow Stone. 22 x 8 mm. The design is put between two upper and lower rulings: it consists of a standing quadruped with gaping jaws, and a large star. In addition there are three cuneiform symbols spread among the two items of design. This comes from west Iran and dates to c. 3000-2500 B.C., though the script symbols may be a later addition. The bottom is damaged, otherwise it is in good condition. 1.98 grams, 22mm (1"). Property of a North London collector; acquired in the 1970s. Fine condition.
Reign of Apil-Suen, 1830-1813 BC. A unique unperforated terracotta cylinder seal with three columns of cuneiform text but no iconographic content; the text reading Iliatum, son of Apil-Suen, servant of (the goddess) Ninsianna. 6.62 grams, 32mm (1 1/4"). From an old Adelaide, Australian collection. 'Bur.gul' seals are an interesting class of cylinder seals. They were engraved by a stonecutter (bur.gul in Sumerian) in clay or soft stone, containing only the name and patronymic of the party to the contract. This type of seal normally does not mention of which king or deity the owner was the servant. This 'bur.gul' seal is unique because it exceptionally mentions also the name of the deity Ninsianna. The owner, Iliatum, was a high-ranking person, probably a son of the Amorite king of Babylon, Apil-Suen. This exquisitely inscribed 'bur.gul' seal may have been used for a less important document. Fine condition.
4th-3rd millennium BC. A carved limestone cylinder seal with frieze of a running beast and various symbols; accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: Cylinder Seal of Brown Stone, 42 x 12 mm. The dsign [sic] shows a prancing horned quadruped with long curving horns. Above it are three vessels, round with necks and spouts. As a terminal there is a tree growing on a small hill. The seal is in very good condition. This is a Jemdet Nasr seal, c.3000 BC, from southern Iraq or a neighbouring area. 11 grams, 42mm (1 3/4"). Property of a London gentleman; aquired in the late 1970s and 1980s. This lot is part of a single collection of cylinder seals which were examined in the 1980s by Professor Lambert and most are accompanied by his own detailed notes; the collection has recently been reviewed by Dr. Ronald Bonewitz. Fine condition.
2300-2150 BC. A carved limestone cylinder seal with eagle and animals; accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: Cylinder Seal of Dark-brown Stone, 18 x 10.5 mm. In the middle is an eagle, with wings spread and tail feathers showing below the body. With either talon it is gripping the back of a recumbent horned animal. To the right of this group is a reared up lion. This is an Akkadian seal, c. 2300-2150 B.C., from Mesopotamia or a neighbouring area. The eagle is the mythological Imdugud-bird, known from Sumerian texts. 2.97 grams, 18mm (3/4"). From a London, UK, collection; acquired 1970s. This lot is part of a single collection of cylinder seals which were examined in the 1980s by Professor Lambert and most are accompanied by his own detailed notes; the collection has recently been reviewed by Dr. Ronald Bonewitz. Fine condition.
2200-2100 BC. A carved rock crystal cylinder seal with figures and cuneiform inscription; accompanied by a museum-quality impression and an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: Cylinder Seal of Rock Crystal 24 x 12 mm. The design shows a presentation scene of three standing figures: on the right is a deity, facing are two figures, first an introducing god, leading in a human worshipper. The god on the right and the introducing god both raise one hand in a gesture of greeting and respect. A two-line cuneiform inscription names the ancient seal owner: Bagarra-bani, slave of Abu-??b. Abu-??b was a private person, not a ruler, but no doubt a person of wealth, to own slaves. The name Bagarra-bani means 'Bagarra creates,' where Bagarra is a temple name. Temples were spoken of with the same reverence as the gods worshipped in them, in fact as substitutes for the gods' names. Bagarra was a temple to the god Ningirsu in the town of Lagash. This dates to the end of the Akkadian period or a little later, c. 2200-2100 B.C. It has suffered some damage to the lower parts, and some places have been re-attached. The engraving is crude because rock crystal was the hardest stone they engraved at this period. 6.49 grams, 24mm (1"). Property of a North London collector; acquired in the 1970s. This lot is part of a single collection of cylinder seals which were examined in the 1980s by Professor Lambert and most are accompanied by his own detailed notes; the collection has recently been reviewed by Dr. Ronald Bonewitz. Fair condition, repaired. Very rare.
1900-1700 BC. A carved haematite cylinder seal with deities, symbols and cuneiform text; accompanied by a museum-quality impression and an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: Cylinder Seal of Hematite 24.5 x 9.5 mm. The two main figures are the god with the mace on the left, and facing him a Lamma goddess on the right. She is clad in a long robe, while he has a kilt to the knees. She raises both hands, while he holds the hand gripping the mace at the waist. Between them there is an unidentified motif. To the right there are two fillers: a nude female with hands clasped at the waist above a monkey. There is a two-line cuneiform inscription: dšamaš Šamaš / da-a Aya. Šamaš is the sun-god, Aya his wife. This is an Old Babylonian seal, c. 1900-1700 B.C., and the two main figures have been cut largely with the drill. There is some corrosion of the stone. 6.04 grams, 24mm (1"). Property of a London gentleman; aquired in the late 1970s and 1980s. This lot is part of a single collection of cylinder seals which were examined in the 1980s by Professor Lambert and most are accompanied by his own detailed notes; the collection has recently been reviewed by Dr. Ronald Bonewitz. Fine condition.
4th-3rd millennium BC. A carved calcite cylinder seal with zoomorphic loop; accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: Cylinder Seal of Translucent Stone with Orange Vein 25 x 15 mm. The seal is surmounted by a sculpted small rodent, the hole between its legs serving for a string to carry the object. The design consists of two halves marked by vertical lines with each half containing two eye shapes. This is a Jemdet Nasr seal, c. 3000 B.C., from Mesopotamia. The small animal on top makes it an unusual item. It is in very good state of preservation. 8.09 grams, 24mm (1"). Private collection, London, UK; formed 1970s-1980s. This lot is part of a single collection of cylinder seals which were examined in the 1980s by Professor Lambert and most are accompanied by his own detailed notes; the collection has recently been reviewed by Dr. Ronald Bonewitz. Fine condition.
Dated 1887. By J. Pinches, bronze. Obv: profile bust of Sir John Evans with IOH EVANS D C L S R S PRAESIDI legend. Rev: S I C / L / S I C / C in four lines within wreath with SOCIETAS NVMISM LOND ANNOS CONST LI legend and MDCCCLXXXVII date below. BCM 1729; BHM 3344; Forrer IV/549. 1.2 grams, 57mm. The Brodie Hall, Kent, UK collection; acquired Chris Rudd (with ticket). Sir John Evans (1823-1908), eminent numismatist, archaeologist and son of Sir Arthur Evans was president of the Numismatic Society of London (now the Royal Numismatic Society) from 1874 and was awarded their medal in 1887; he was author of The Coins of the Ancient Britons, published 1864 (with Supplement, 1890); also of The Ancient Stone Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain, 1872 and 1897 editions and of The Ancient Bronze Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain, 1881; all of his works are still of considerable value today. Almost as struck, brown tone.
1st-3rd century AD. A narrow D-section gold hoop with ovoid bezel and inset amethyst cabochon. 0.84 grams, 18mm overall, 13.61 x 14.96mm internal diameter (approximate size British E, USA 2 1/2, Europe 2.76, Japan 2) (3/4"). Property of a Middlesex gentleman; acquired in the 1980s. The Romans would have mined most of their amethyst from the Wadi El-Hudi region, south of Aswan in Egypt. The mineral resources of this area were extensively exploited during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods with mining settlements growing up in the harsh environment. The name comes from the Ancient Greek meaning not intoxicated, a reference to the belief that the stone protected its owner from drunkenness and wine cups were often carved from the stone. Fine condition.
10th-14th century AD. A mixed group of mainly bronze items comprising: two hinged belt mounts; three plaques; a miniature bell; a stylus with heart-shaped plaque; a claw pendant; a blue glass disc pendant; a triangular stone animal's head. 56 grams total, 21-69mm (3/4 - 2 3/4"). Property of a lady; acquired in the late 1970s on the London art market. [10, No Reserve] Fine condition.
Neolithic, 4th-2nd millennium BC. A bifacial knife in dark grey-brown flint, the cutting edge straight and with convex back; possibly contemporaneously formed by adapting a larger, symmetric sickle-knife, the straight edge and rounded tip with extensive usage polish. Cf. Evans, John, The Ancient Stone Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain, p. 355, fig. 267a for a full sickle-knife of similar form. 26 grams, 65mm (2 1/2"). Property of a gentleman, by descent from the vendor's father, who formed his collection in the 1990s; found Kent, UK, in 1991. [No Reserve] Very fine condition. Interesting and rare form.
Palaeolithic to Neolithic, 600,000-3,000 years BP. A mixed group of stone implements comprising: a bifacial triangular handaxe with label 'Mousterian / St. Cyprian / Dordogne / France / Biface'; a piriform bifacial handaxe with label 'Acheulian / Buckinghamshire / England / Biface'; a slender pointed tool with inked inscription 'Swascombe / Kent / F / CE / 173' and 'N.hand axe'; a trapezoidal polished axe with label 'Neolithic / Co. Antrim / Ireland / Polished Axe'; a rounded polished axe with label 'Neolithic / Lillebonne / Seine Maritime / Normandy / France / Polished Axe'; a round flint blade with pencil notation 'Norfolk'; a long flint blade with inked notation 'S[uf]folk / S3 [..]F'; a flint awl with old inked notation, illegible. 676 grams total, 4.5-10cm (1 3/4 - 4"). From the Lawton family collection. [8, No Reserve] Fine condition.
3rd-2nd millenium BC. A flat plank-shaped female terracotta idol with incised 'belt' and 'necklace' decoration in the lower part, breasts formed with round recessed domes; the upper part with facial details, incised horizontal and triangular lines, eyes formed as two concentric circles, raised nose, on the top a small rectangular 'crown' decoration with incised concentric triangles; above the eyes four pierced holes for attachment. Cf. Morris, D. The Art of Ancient Cyprus, 1985, plate 176g-h, 178-9. 196 grams, 21.5cm (8 1/2"). Ex Savva collection; acquired in the 1980-1990s. So-called 'plank idols' originated in the Early Iron Age on Cyprus in the form of one large rectangle representing the torso, with one smaller rectangle on top of this, representing the head and neck. The patterns on the body most likely indicate a woven garment, overlaid with jewellery. The symbolism of 'plank idols' has been much debated with the familiar interpretation of female fertility goddess still being the most preferred theory. However, there is still ongoing discussion about their gender, and whether they are all supposed to represent a female. In any case, such figurines may recall cult statues of stone or wood that were placed in sanctuaries or ritually sacrificed in funerary rituals and placed in tombs and graves. Very fine condition.
A 19th Century Renaissance revival brooch/pendant, the central cross-form mount set with five red stone cabochons and half pearls in yellow metal, surrounded by four green stones, beadwork and scrolled work, holding linking chains terminating in matching cabochon drop below, closed back setting with later brooch pin and some repairs, 8cms. high. See illustration
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