Early Dynastic Clay Cylinder Seal with Geometric and Wheel Patterns






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| €30 | ||
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| €2 | ||
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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.
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
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
Details
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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.
