Old Babylonian Haematite Cylinder seal
06
days
02
hours
40
minutes
12
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Current bid
€ 4
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 850 - € 1,000
 | €4 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €3 | |
| €2 | |
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Old Babylonian haematite cylinder seal, 2.6 cm long and 1.1 cm wide, circa 1894–1595 BC, in good condition, featuring a scene with three standing figures and additional motifs, pierced for suspension and accompanied by a modern impression; provenance includes Ex West Country, UK collection from the 1990s.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
A very fine Old Babylonian cylinder seal produced from haematite. The scene features three standing figures, one possibly a naked fertility goddess with her hands clasped at her chest. Next to her are two males figures facing each other, one wearing a long robe and the other in a short skirt. These could be a robed king and a warrior. There is also another group of figures, depicting an animal and smaller figure, likely a bow-legged dwarf, above a fallen man, which could indicate a fallen enemy or sacrifice. Several motifs including stars and staffs fill the empty fields. The seal is pierced longitudinally for suspension. This seal comes with a professionally baked, modern impression.
Seals were often made of stone however there are also examples rendered in bone, ivory, faience, glass, metal, wood, and even 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 have been found throughout Mesopotamia in contexts dating to the late fourth millennium BC, although stamp seals and cylinder seals were the predominant types in the ancient Near East.
Measurements of the seal: L 2.6cm x W 1.1cm
Provenance: Ex West Country, UK, collection, 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 very fine Old Babylonian cylinder seal produced from haematite. The scene features three standing figures, one possibly a naked fertility goddess with her hands clasped at her chest. Next to her are two males figures facing each other, one wearing a long robe and the other in a short skirt. These could be a robed king and a warrior. There is also another group of figures, depicting an animal and smaller figure, likely a bow-legged dwarf, above a fallen man, which could indicate a fallen enemy or sacrifice. Several motifs including stars and staffs fill the empty fields. The seal is pierced longitudinally for suspension. This seal comes with a professionally baked, modern impression.
Seals were often made of stone however there are also examples rendered in bone, ivory, faience, glass, metal, wood, and even 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 have been found throughout Mesopotamia in contexts dating to the late fourth millennium BC, although stamp seals and cylinder seals were the predominant types in the ancient Near East.
Measurements of the seal: L 2.6cm x W 1.1cm
Provenance: Ex West Country, UK, collection, 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
Old Babylonian
Century/timeframe
Circa 1894–1595 BC
Name of object
Cylinder seal
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2000
Material
Haematite
Country acquired from
Unknown
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1990
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
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