Early Dynastic Clay Cylinder Seal with Geometric and Wheel Patterns

06
days
12
hours
50
minutes
56
seconds
Current bid
€ 30
Reserve price not met
Peter Reynaers
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers

Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.

Estimate  € 650 - € 800
16 other people are watching this object
ESBidder 9296
€30
ITBidder 3960
€2
ITBidder 3960
€1

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Original Early Dynastic clay cylinder seal with geometric and wheel patterns, L 3 cm x W 1.3 cm, acquired from a private collection in 2000.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

A fine Early Dynastic clay cylinder seal decorated with geometric and wheel patterns. The pattern features a segmented octofoil, two vesica motifs with pellets to the centre and concentric bands outside, as well as a lozenge with parallel bands. There is possibly a stylised human figure, depicted standing with one arm bent whilst them extending straight forward. The seal is perforated longitudinally for suspension. Signs of wear as consistent with age, such as minor chipping and pitting. This piece comes with a museum-quality impression.

Seals in antiquity were often made of stone, however there are also examples rendered in bone, ivory, faience, glass, metal, wood, and occasionally sun-dried or baked clay. In the ancient world, seals guaranteed the authenticity of marked ownership. As such, they were instrumental in legal transactions and in the protection of goods against theft. Seal amulets with stylised animals or fantasised zoomorphic figural have been found throughout Mesopotamia and dating to the late fourth millennium BC. Winged genii are one such zoomorphic figure. They were often depicted alongside quadrupeds or ‘Tree of Life’ motifs, and functioned as protective spirits.

Measurements: (circa) L 3cm x W 1.3cm

Provenance: E 'S' collection, acquired 1970-1990s.

Seller's Story

N.B: TAXES & VAT ARE NOT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SHIPPING COSTS. INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY TIME SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE. ANTIQUITIES: All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity, including the item's description, image and provenance. Please also note, for insurance purposes, an item's value cannot be under- declared. All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiquities over 100 years old and their valued price. Liability and the applicable Customs Regulations or Import Requirements in the country of your destination are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We cannot be held responsible for any delays occurred by Custom Procedures. Import Tax or payable VAT depends on the Country of your destination. Payments of any taxes or any dispute with Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Please note that from the 1st of January 2021, as Britain will officially leave the EU, artefacts dispatched to any European country might have to go through Customs Procedures and fees. Watches: Watches are provided with a hard cardboard box and pillow as shown in the images. The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.

A fine Early Dynastic clay cylinder seal decorated with geometric and wheel patterns. The pattern features a segmented octofoil, two vesica motifs with pellets to the centre and concentric bands outside, as well as a lozenge with parallel bands. There is possibly a stylised human figure, depicted standing with one arm bent whilst them extending straight forward. The seal is perforated longitudinally for suspension. Signs of wear as consistent with age, such as minor chipping and pitting. This piece comes with a museum-quality impression.

Seals in antiquity were often made of stone, however there are also examples rendered in bone, ivory, faience, glass, metal, wood, and occasionally sun-dried or baked clay. In the ancient world, seals guaranteed the authenticity of marked ownership. As such, they were instrumental in legal transactions and in the protection of goods against theft. Seal amulets with stylised animals or fantasised zoomorphic figural have been found throughout Mesopotamia and dating to the late fourth millennium BC. Winged genii are one such zoomorphic figure. They were often depicted alongside quadrupeds or ‘Tree of Life’ motifs, and functioned as protective spirits.

Measurements: (circa) L 3cm x W 1.3cm

Provenance: E 'S' collection, acquired 1970-1990s.

Seller's Story

N.B: TAXES & VAT ARE NOT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SHIPPING COSTS. INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY TIME SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE. ANTIQUITIES: All items sold will come with their own Certificate of Authenticity, including the item's description, image and provenance. Please also note, for insurance purposes, an item's value cannot be under- declared. All items when shipped (if required) will be declared as antiquities over 100 years old and their valued price. Liability and the applicable Customs Regulations or Import Requirements in the country of your destination are the sole responsibility of the buyer. We cannot be held responsible for any delays occurred by Custom Procedures. Import Tax or payable VAT depends on the Country of your destination. Payments of any taxes or any dispute with Customs Authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Please note that from the 1st of January 2021, as Britain will officially leave the EU, artefacts dispatched to any European country might have to go through Customs Procedures and fees. Watches: Watches are provided with a hard cardboard box and pillow as shown in the images. The Seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.

Details

Culture
Early Dynastic
Century/timeframe
Circa 3rd Millennium BC
Name of object
Cylinder Seal with Geometric and Wheel Patterns
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2000
Material
Clay
Country acquired from
Unknown
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1970
Previous owner - country acquired from
Unknown
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
United KingdomVerified
8976
Objects sold
100%
protop

Disclaimer

The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.

The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.

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