Near Eastern Chalcedony Cylinder seal
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 550 - € 700
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Near Eastern cylinder seal in yellow-white chalcedony, circa 2nd–1st millennium BC, featuring paired human-headed sphinxes flanking an anthropomorphic figure and a palm tree, perforated longitudinally for suspension, measuring about 0.8 cm by 2.4 cm, in good condition and acquired in 2010 from a private collection with provenance including Ex. R.B. collection, Cotswold, UK.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
A fine Near Eastern cylinder seal carved from yellow-white chalcedony, featuring stylised zoomorphic figures. Carefully engraved across the surface, a pair of human-headed sphinxes, flank an anthropomorphic figure on both sides. The sphinxes are depicted standing on long, narrow legs, with winged, curving bodies, surmounted by bearded human heads. They face the human figure, who is also shown standing, wearing a robe and headdress or crown, facing right, with their arms bent, clasped at their torso. Behind and between the sphinxes, a palm tree, with a cross-hatched trunk and two large leaves, completes the composition. All the figures have been rendered stylistically. The details of their their facial features, such as eyes, noses, mouths, and the zoomorphic figure's wings, are still clearly visible. The seal has been perforated longitudinally for suspension. Encrustations and signs of wear as consistent with age, such as chipping, scratches, and pitting.
Please note that the impression is for reference only.
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 with stylised animals or fantasised zoomorphic figural have been found throughout Mesopotamia and dating to the late fourth millennium BC.
Measurements: (circa) W 0.8cm x H 2.4cm
Provenance: Ex. R.B. collection, Cotswold, UK, 1980s.
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 Near Eastern cylinder seal carved from yellow-white chalcedony, featuring stylised zoomorphic figures. Carefully engraved across the surface, a pair of human-headed sphinxes, flank an anthropomorphic figure on both sides. The sphinxes are depicted standing on long, narrow legs, with winged, curving bodies, surmounted by bearded human heads. They face the human figure, who is also shown standing, wearing a robe and headdress or crown, facing right, with their arms bent, clasped at their torso. Behind and between the sphinxes, a palm tree, with a cross-hatched trunk and two large leaves, completes the composition. All the figures have been rendered stylistically. The details of their their facial features, such as eyes, noses, mouths, and the zoomorphic figure's wings, are still clearly visible. The seal has been perforated longitudinally for suspension. Encrustations and signs of wear as consistent with age, such as chipping, scratches, and pitting.
Please note that the impression is for reference only.
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 with stylised animals or fantasised zoomorphic figural have been found throughout Mesopotamia and dating to the late fourth millennium BC.
Measurements: (circa) W 0.8cm x H 2.4cm
Provenance: Ex. R.B. collection, Cotswold, UK, 1980s.
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
Near Eastern
Century/timeframe
Circa 2nd-1st Millennium BC
Name of object
Cylinder seal
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2010
Material
Chalcedony
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
Sold by
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.
