Western Asiatic Rock crystal Zoomorphic Lion Amulet Bead (No reserve price)
16
days
19
hours
43
minutes
36
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
No reserve price
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 210 - € 250
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Ancient Western Asiatic rock-crystal zoomorphic lion amulet bead dating to the 2nd–1st millennium BC, measuring 16.8 × 15.8 × 8.2 mm, with natural inclusions and minor wear in good wearable condition, carved from rock crystal with a transverse perforation and authentic original status, acquired from a UK gallery/antique dealer in 2016; Certificate of Authenticity available on request for hammer prices of €100 or more, and shipping is limited to the European Union.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Ancient Western Asiatic rock crystal amulet bead carved in an abstract zoomorphic form, representing a stylised lion or quadruped. The irregular silhouette includes several rounded projections, while the translucent stone contains naturally occurring internal inclusions. A transverse perforation allows the amulet to be suspended and worn.
-> Carved stone amulets combined personal ornamentation with the symbolic qualities attributed to their material and form. Abstract animal shapes were often simplified to emphasise a recognisable silhouette while preserving the natural character of the stone.
Size: ± 16.8 x 15.8 x 8.2 mm
Condition
Good solid condition, wearable. Natural inclusions and internal fissures within the rock crystal. Minor surface irregularities, small edge chips and signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Rock crystal, a transparent and colourless quartz, was believed by the ancients to be formed from ice which had hardened into stone through intense freezing.
Across ancient Persia and the wider Near East, scholars and philosophers viewed rock crystal as a physical manifestation of two essential elements of life: air and water.
It was highly valued by ancient cultures and throughout history was used for decorative objects or jewellery. The Babylonians believed that owning items crafted from rock crystal would directly increase a person's wealth and bring good fortune. Master craftsmen even carved rock crystal into exquisite luxury drinking vessels and lamps, a tradition that deeply influenced later Persian lapidary traditions.
The ancient Greeks, Romans, Egyptians carved the mineral into drinking goblets, jewellery, intaglios, amulets, talismans or funerary objects. Pliny the Elder reports that it was found in many places, but the best was brought from India.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Ancient Western Asiatic rock crystal amulet bead carved in an abstract zoomorphic form, representing a stylised lion or quadruped. The irregular silhouette includes several rounded projections, while the translucent stone contains naturally occurring internal inclusions. A transverse perforation allows the amulet to be suspended and worn.
-> Carved stone amulets combined personal ornamentation with the symbolic qualities attributed to their material and form. Abstract animal shapes were often simplified to emphasise a recognisable silhouette while preserving the natural character of the stone.
Size: ± 16.8 x 15.8 x 8.2 mm
Condition
Good solid condition, wearable. Natural inclusions and internal fissures within the rock crystal. Minor surface irregularities, small edge chips and signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Rock crystal, a transparent and colourless quartz, was believed by the ancients to be formed from ice which had hardened into stone through intense freezing.
Across ancient Persia and the wider Near East, scholars and philosophers viewed rock crystal as a physical manifestation of two essential elements of life: air and water.
It was highly valued by ancient cultures and throughout history was used for decorative objects or jewellery. The Babylonians believed that owning items crafted from rock crystal would directly increase a person's wealth and bring good fortune. Master craftsmen even carved rock crystal into exquisite luxury drinking vessels and lamps, a tradition that deeply influenced later Persian lapidary traditions.
The ancient Greeks, Romans, Egyptians carved the mineral into drinking goblets, jewellery, intaglios, amulets, talismans or funerary objects. Pliny the Elder reports that it was found in many places, but the best was brought from India.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Western Asiatic
Century/timeframe
2nd-1st Millennium BC
Name of object
Zoomorphic Lion Amulet Bead
Acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Year acquired
2016
Material
Rock crystal
Country acquired from
United Kingdom
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Previous owner - year acquired
2016
Previous owner - country acquired from
United Kingdom
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.
