Old Babylonian Banded Agate Duck Weight Amulet

06
days
04
hours
12
minutes
19
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Peter Reynaers
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers

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

Estimate  € 210 - € 250
No bids placed

Catawiki Buyer Protection

Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details

Trustpilot 4.4 | 131192 reviews

Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.

Old Babylonian Duck Weight Amulet, carved from banded agate and dating to circa 1900–1600 BC, depicting a sleeping duck with a flattened, unworked base and pierced for suspension; in Good condition and authentic (Original/official), ex SM collection London, from a private collection.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

A Mesopotamian trade weight, carved from beautiful banded agate and dating to the Old Babylonian period. The weight has been modelled in the stylised shape of a duck, portrayed sleeping with its head tucked towards its body. The base appears flattened and unworked. The surface is smooth, with only minor scratches and wear. The piece is pierced for suspension.

Known as the ‘sleeping duck’, this shape is amongst the most popular for Near Eastern weights. It was commonly used in Mesopotamia during the Early Babylonian period as a weight system and was introduced into Anatolia by an Assyrian merchant. A great number of duck weights have been found throughout the Near East and in Anatolian sites.

Measurements (Circa): L 1.4cm x W 1cm

Provenance: Ex SM collection London, acquired 1970s-2000s.

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 Mesopotamian trade weight, carved from beautiful banded agate and dating to the Old Babylonian period. The weight has been modelled in the stylised shape of a duck, portrayed sleeping with its head tucked towards its body. The base appears flattened and unworked. The surface is smooth, with only minor scratches and wear. The piece is pierced for suspension.

Known as the ‘sleeping duck’, this shape is amongst the most popular for Near Eastern weights. It was commonly used in Mesopotamia during the Early Babylonian period as a weight system and was introduced into Anatolia by an Assyrian merchant. A great number of duck weights have been found throughout the Near East and in Anatolian sites.

Measurements (Circa): L 1.4cm x W 1cm

Provenance: Ex SM collection London, acquired 1970s-2000s.

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
Old Babylonian
Century/timeframe
Circa 1900-1600 BC
Name of object
Duck Weight Amulet
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2000
Material
Banded Agate
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
9050
Objects sold
99.76%
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.

Similar objects

For you in

Archaeology