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Peter Reynaers

A fine ancient Greek terracotta papyrus sealing featuring a male figure, likely a god or a satyr. The figure is depicted bearded and nude and seated on a tree stump, steading himself on his right hand. Atop his head he wears a rounded cap adorned with protruding features. His left arm is outstretched, holding a horned animal, possibly a goat or deer. The edges of the sealing are rough and irregular, and feature some minor wear. The reverse is slightly uneven where the clay was attached to the papyrus. The weathered exterior features some cracking, revealing the red clay beneath.

Small, round sealings, with this particular piece being a larger example, were common throughout ancient Greece and Rome as marks of authentication and ownership. They were most often used on papyrus scrolls, where a soft piece of clay would be impressed with the owner’s signet ring or seal, transferring a unique image to the sealing of the scroll. The subjects varied across deities and mythological scenes, to flora and fauna, to portraits including those of Emperors. The seals also served as a prevention against the theft, plagiarism and doctoring of documents. Despite their regularity in antiquity, relatively few sealings survive today. As the clay was never fired in order to keep the document accessible, most disintegrated over time. Many of the surviving examples come from libraries and collections which, intentionally or not, were burnt to the ground, destroying the papyrus scrolls but preserving the seal in the process.

Measurements: L 2.3cm x H 2.7cm x W 0.3cm

Provenance: Ex. collection of papyrus sealings, 1990s.

Circa 4th-1st Century BC

Ancient Greek Terracotta Papyrus Sealing  (No Reserve Price)

Comic Figurines & Merchandise

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No reserve price

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From

Closing date

Thursday

25 May

Location

Belgium

France

The Netherlands

Spain

Italy

Germany

Hong Kong

Israel

Latvia

Poland

Brand

Marvel

Hasbro

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Object

Comic figure

Comic merchandise

Statue

Action figure

Figure

Sculpture

Figurine

Trading card

Original comic artwork 

Comic print

Country of origin

China

Unknown

Netherlands

United Kingdom

Asia

India

United States

Material

Resin

Plastic

Metal

Wood

Paper

Other

Textile

Condition

Mint

Very good

Near mint

Excellent condition

Good condition

Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

Near Mint (NM)

Good

As new - unused

Extras

with original box

Limited & numbered edition

in undamaged open original Box

Without original box

Period

2010-2020

2000-2010

2020+

1990-2000

1960-1970

Subject

Cartoons and comics

Male figures

Style

Pop Art

Contemporary

Signature

Not signed

Plate signed

Language

English

Colour

Black

Blue

Grey

Yellow

Gold

White

Multicolour

Scale

Series

Asterix

Gaston

Blake & Mortimer

Lucky Luke

Marsupilami

De Smurfen

Batman

Les Schtroumpfs

Spirou et Fantasio

Superman

Aquaman

Cyborg

Agent 327

Bollie en Billie

Jommeke

Kuifje

Nestor Burma

Spirou (magazine)

Suske en Wiske

Milo Manara

Pin Up

Comics type

Published artwork

Puzzle

After 2000

1900-2000

Sold by

Owner or reseller

Trading card type

Mixed collection

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Spirou (magazine) - 1 Mini portfolio of 8 cards - The Monstrous Universe of Franquin - 1989

Various - Mint

Astérix / Lucky Luke / Blueberry - 9 Décotransfer Notebooks N1 to N9 - Dargaud - 1971

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Pixi 4768 - Gaston - Gaston feu tricolore - 2005

Vilac - Marsupilami - Tirelire Marsupilami - 1990

Mint - 12 cm - 12 cm - 5 cm

Hachette Collections - Lucky Luke - 2019

André Franquin - Very good

Gaston - 1 Gift set of 12 Zippo-style lighters. - Champ - 2000

Franquin - Very good

Marsupilami - 2 Greenhouses book - Vilac - 1995

Plastoy - Asterix - Cleopatre - 2000

Leblon Delienne - Asterix - Falbala - 1996

Very good - 13 cm - 7 cm - 4 cm

Plastoy - Gaston - 2x La super sauce piquante /  Gaston Lagaffe avec son reveil et l'oreiller

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Ancient Greek Terracotta Papyrus Sealing (No Reserve Price)

70 objects

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