This is a finely engraved haematite cylinder seal. The seal is engraved with the sun-god Shamash, his foot resting on a small mountain, carrying the saw-weapon in his right hand, a worshipper approaches, wearing a fringed rope.
A suppliant goddess stands behind the sun-god Shamash, wearing a flounced robe, her hands raised in adoration.
Between them a ball-staff and vessel. Space for column of inscription...
Bust of a camel with protruding snout, slit mouth, pierced nostrils and applied eyes. On top of the head the typical cap of hair. Wide neck and chest area, the back side with a central rib.
Terracotta
Near Eastern, 1st millennium BC
H. 9.7 cm (3.8 in)
H. with stand 13.7 cm (5.4 in)
Fragmentary, rare and fine. Lime deposits and root marks. Old wood block mount.
Ex New York collection, acquired 1970s-1980s...
A collection of 7 ancient beads, incl. massive early trailed beads from late Achaemenid to the Islamic period of the Ancient Near East, c. 4th. cent. BC- 8th cent. AD
Three beads are very large, the 4 other beads are medium size to smaller. The largest bead is c. 32 mm. wide and massive. The smallest c. 13 mm...
Interesting large stamp seal of the conoid type in greenish glass, Achaemenid Empire, c. 7th.-4th. cent. BC.
The seal carved with the great King standing left with weapon and other figures, incl. a winged one.
Size: 19 mm. tall and 18 mm. wide.
Condition: Fine and intact, but with several internal fisures and a small chip. Comes with the original hard clay impression from below collection and ID-Card. Aquired to the Oberländer collection in 1991. Rare...
3 Near Eastern 7-8th c Wound Glass beads slight loss stable wearable. Old Ca estate collection.
Interesting lot of 5 ancient miniature glass vessels, in the shape of jars, bowls and bottles, 3rd.-6th. cent. AD.
Very nice lot with iridescence, measuring up to 27 mm.
Ex. Old Danish Collection, bought the 1980s.
This is an exciting little repousse plaque or pendant found in the city of Gilgit. The city of Gilgit was an important hub along the silk road. The image and decor of the piece appears to be Gandharan but as I am not an expert on that particular culture I could be mistaken in my attribution. This piece measures roughly 2 cm square. It is a magnificent piece for any collection of ancient art or jewelry. Please email if you need any further information or photographs.
Interesting round faience seal, clearly showing influence from Egypt, Mesopotamian/Egypt border seal, 1st. mill. BC.
Carved with a Dog or jackal and a sun symbol.
Size: 17 mm...
This type of bronze weapon is generally designated as a short sword. It has a substantial midrib with tapering edges. The edges are concave in the upper part and gracefully draw into spikes or wings that extend around either side of the tang. Weapons of this type are found in Northwestern Iran and most likely date to around the 9th century BC. “Weapons of this type [are] widely represented in the Ghaletenti I cemetery in Dailiman.” (“Arms and Armor from Iran” by Manouchehr M...
Ancient banded agate bead Roman - Persian 100 BC- 300 AD great condition. Size 15mm by 7 mm
Hand-formed statuette of a small bird on a high foot. Compact head with pointed beak and hinted comb...
A lovely patinated bronze belthook with dark green and red patina, Warrings states, ca. 4th. century AD.
The belthook looks like a stingray with a wide curved top above a tapering ridged hook, cast with relief taotie design.
Size: 4,8 cm. long and 2,7 cm. wide.
Condition: Superb, excellent metal and patina.
Provenance: The old collection of Torunn Gulliksen Ihlemann og Jens Thygesen, formerly Kunsthallen auctions, København. Ex. Bruun Rasmussen auctio...
A very attractive early powder flask, Greater Persia, shaped as the first stomach of the Camel with fine engravings, c. later 18th. century AD.
Size: 23 cm.
Condition: Intact, fine quality with preserved pattern and deep patina.
Ex. Old Danish Private Collection and the flask comes with an identity card from the collection, added in 1992.
This is a wonderful but plain little copper alloy or bronze axe head from the ancient middle East. Types like this are often associated with either the Amlash or Luristan cultures. This piece has three raised ridges on the socket. It is intact, solid and stable with no repair or restoration. It weighs 230 grams and measures 12.5 cm across. This is a fine example of ancient craftsmanship at a very low price. Don't miss it!!!!
Luristan Master of Animals Idol Sceptre Standard Finial
A really nice upper part of a bronze standard depicting the Master of Animals on both sides. This piece comes with an antique custom made box which can also be used as a stand. An old tag with the collection number 345 is attached to the final.
The Master of Animals was a supernatural being, highly respected as a protector of game,
the ruler of the forest, and the guardian of the animal kingdom. We see a human figure
...
Youthful head of a Bodhissatva with superbly modeled asymmetries. The protruding left side of the face together with the falling line of the eyes and of the mouth make the head appear bent to the right.
The yellow-ochre face shows black eyebrows and faint red pigment on the swollen eyelids which close the eyes to slits. Traces of red also appear on the sensitively modeled fleshy mouth. A red dot on the forehead, the so-called urna, symbolizes enlightenment and wisdom.
The oval face is framed b...
CLAY FIGURE OF A STANDING ASTARTE “FERTILITY GODDESS”
MESOPOTAMIA, OLD BABYLONIAN, 1800 B.C.
Dimensions:
Height: 12.5 cm
Width: 3.5 cm
Height on stand: 14.5 cm
Ishtar (Akkadian), Astarte (Phoenician), or Inanna (Sumerian) was the most important female deity in Mesopotamia through the second millennium BC. She was identified with the planet Venus, and the sunrise. She was the goddess of both sexual love and warfare. The Greeks identified her with Aphrod...
Egypt, Coptic culture, later 1st. millenioum BC
A delightful female idol carved from bone. The face is dominated by huge, round eyes and a small nose and mouth. Incised lines form bands around the head, neck, and waist, female genitals outlined.
Size: 5,2 cm.
Ex. Dr. Beck Collection, Bonn. In Germany since 1980s.
Head of the Buddha shown with solemn expression. The refined facial features with arched eyebrows over heavy lidded eyes and a sensitively modeled mouth with purse lips.
The half open eyes with their barely indicated irises confer the head a meditative gaze.
The hair is delicately textured with a central bun (usnisha) on top.
The idealized style is reminiscent of Greek Hellenistic sculpture which lived on among Gandharan artists.
Stucco.
Gandhara, 3rd/4th century AD.
H. 7.7 cm (3 in), H. w...
A very rare bronze seal from the First Emperor period with the "ying-yang" impression. Yin is often symbolized by water or earth, while yang is symbolized by fire or wind. Age: 221 -206 BC.
Size:L. 1.9cm W. 1cm. H. 1.2cm.
Condition: No repairs. Incrustation from long burial. Can be cleaned.
Ancient Islamic threaded glass evil eye protection bead 300 Ad-1000 AD. Well made and nearly perfect condition with the delicate threads undamaged. Wearable stable , size almost 3/4"
Bow adornment of a fibula in the shape of an elongated bird.
The animal is shown in alert pose with outstretched head. It shows a pointed beak, donut-like eyes, and a body carved with parallel lines to render the plumage.
For a related example, cf. Christie’s East New York, sale no. 200A (06 June 1981), part of lot no. 19.
The notch on the bottom to bear the metal components of the fibula, which are now lost.
The used material is animal tooth, remains of dental enam...
Hand-modeled female figure with bird-like facial features, including applied eyes and a pointed beak-like nose. At the nape a trapezoidal hair design fixed with a clay strip.
Her left arm placed over the chest, the other to her thigh. Wide angular shoulders. The neck enhanced with a collar of tiny beads.
The body in the shape of a simple column with slightly evert foot.
Terracotta
H. 10.4 cm (4.1 in)
Near Eastern, Syro-Hittite, 2nd Millennium BC
Intact ...
Rare centaur-like creature with a male torso merged to an equid body.
The bearded man is holding a pile of dishes with his right hand and a phial (?) with the left.
His head was taken from a mold and shows good detail to the beard and face. The soft cap folded to the side.
The equid body standing four-square.
The horseman is related to the so called ‘Persian Rider’ type characteristic of the Achaemenid Period
in Syria (Northern Levant).
The Persian Achaem...
Statue of a fertility goddess, standing, wearing a formal coiffe and long pants. Terracotta. Indus Valley Civilisation period (3300-1300 B.C.), Harappa region. Height: 17 cm. Soil encrustations, arms partly missing, otherwise very good condition.
A choice and beautiful pottery bowl with torquoise glaze, black markings and a finely decorated pattern on the interior. Seljug period, 11th.-12th. century, likely Kashan.
The bowl is covered with fine silvery iridescence on the surface of the interior. Very beautiful colours.
Size: 15,5 cm. in diameter and 8,5 cm. tall.
Condition: Choice, completely ancient surfaces! The iridescence could be cleaned but it's a shame to it even though the torquise colour would be...
Chinese Zhou / Warring States Bronze Ritual Wine Vessel with Cover (8/8/88)
This rare bronze vessel dates to the Eastern Zhou period (770 - 221 BC). Such vessels are invariably referred to as "ritual wine vessels". It is of a rounded rectangular form. The body stands on four feet, one in each corner and of a mythical winged-human form. The front has a loop handled surmounted with a stylised buffalo head, its mouth open wide. The cover has a reticulated oval final in the form of interlinked s...
A beautifully carved sculpture of a lady in an erotic pose, Gandharan, ca. 1st.-5th. century AD.
Clearly inspired by classical greek and roman art. She is holding her longs strands of hair and wearing garments that exposes her naked shoulder and arm. Archictorial piece, impresive size. Some remnants of pinkish pigments still on the surface. Mounted to a metal base.
Size: ca. 32-33 cm. tall and 20,5 cm. wide.
Ex. Pax Romana Gallery, London. From an Oxfordshire Co...
Gandharan Kushan Period 2-3c Stucco Buddha head fragment from a Buddhist temple , slight traced of color remain. Size H 4" W 2.5" D 2.75" unmounted.
Large terracotta bull with prominent horns and a pronounced hump on the back. The holes for the wheel axles on the integrated base are indicative of a child's toy.
Also the small hole at the very front of the base, which was used to attach a pull cord.
Terracotta
Near Eastern, 1st millennium BC
H. 17.1 cm (6.7 in), L. 14.2 cm (5.6 in)
Encrusted and worn, but intact.
Private NYC collection, acquired 1970s-1980s. Joined by several labels from PB 84 (Parke...
This is a museum quality example of a very rare word type from the ancient middle East.It has a hollow cast, mushroom shaped pommel and a heavy, crescent shaped guard. The blade is long and heavy with several blood grooves cast into it. There are no signs of repair or restoration to this amazing piece of ancient history. The overall length of this exquisite piece is 55 cm.
A bronze plaque was found in very good condition.
It was hollow casted with animal fighting scenes.
Nice patina was preserved on the surface.
Date: 2 B.C , Western Han periods.
Dimensions 13.8cm x 10.5cm x 6.0cm.
Similar piece was found in the Yunnan Province Museum.
Bronze Stand is not included.
JOMON STONE GLANS
Tip part of excavated ancient Japanese ritual phallic object called ‘Sekibo’ (lit. ‘Stone stick’) dated back to the Jomon period (ca. 14000-1000 BCE),
attached with wooden stand with plaster inside of hole for stabilising. Total with stand: H 6 cm (2.36in), Sekibo itself: H 4.3 x 3 x 3 cm (1.69 x 1.18 x 1.18in). Cracks due to age as is. Slightly stained with its plaster at the bottom.
selected by titcoRet
...
bronzes,dings,china,metal,
A rare authentic Bronze Ding or food offering container with domed cover and looped handles (when inverted the cover becomes a tripod dish) Age. Warring States or early Han. Size: H. 15.5cm. W. 22.7cm. Condition: No repairs or dents. In original condition Some encrustation of dirt from long burial
The bronze plaque was in a scene of an ox fighting with a tiger and a snake.
The depiction was well done by excellent craftsmanship.
It was hollow casted.
Nice patina was preserved on the surface.
One side was squeezed.
Date: 2 B.C , Western Han periods.
Dimensions 13 cm x 8.5cm x 4.0cm.
Similar piece was found in the Yunnan Province Museum.
Bronze Stand is not included.
A rare Tang dynasty bronze standing figure of attendant, figure is in good condition with good patina please see picture for detail, size: 22 cm height.