Ancient Silver Ceremonial Staff-End with Bull, Panther, Bird and Human Head Appliques
15
days
04
hours
55
minutes
28
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 1,100 - € 1,400
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Ancient Mediterranean ceremonial silver staff-end with four appliques showing the busts of a bull, panther, bird and human head, dating to ca. 2000–1000 BC, in good condition with a restored human bust and dark patina, height about 50.6 mm.
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 Mediterranean ceremonial silver staff-end with 4 silver appliques showing the busts of a bull, panther, bird and human. The staff end or finial is formed as a hollow cylindrical sleeve, intended to be mounted onto the end of a staff, rod or similar fitting. The exterior is richly decorated with a continuous frieze of three-dimensional animal and human heads. A silver spiral wire wraps around the base.
-> Finials and terminals of this type served not only as decorative fittings, but also as visible markers of status, ceremony, or authority. Bird motifs were widely used in antiquity and could carry protective, symbolic, or prestigious associations.
Height: ± 50,6 mm
Condition: Good and solid condition, the human bust is restored (re-attached). The surface retains a dark silver patina. The upper rim is irregular and partially broken, showing ancient damage and loss. The overall structure remains solid and stable, the decorative elements are well preserved.
Very attractive piece. Signs of wear consistent with an ancient artefact.
Provenance: Gerhard Hirsch Auction 257 (2008) No 1771
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
-> Decorated staff terminals and finials are known from a wide range of ancient cultures, where staffs, sceptres, and rods could serve both practical and symbolic purposes. Beyond their use as walking aids or supports, such objects could denote rank, ritual office, command, or ceremonial presence. The addition of sculptural animal or bird forms elevated these fittings beyond mere utility and gave them a clear visual importance.
Bird imagery held a special place in ancient art, often connected with ideas of vigilance, protection, divinity, or communication between earthly and sacred realms. Small but carefully worked objects such as this reflect the way metalworkers transformed functional fittings into prestige items, rich in symbolic character and visual impact.
Material:
This object has been carefully examined for its material and surface characteristics.
Laboratory analysis (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting, and destructive testing is avoided as it causes permanent damage to archaeological material.
Before modern hallmarking, gold and silver alloys varied depending on local resources, recycling practices and economic conditions.
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 Mediterranean ceremonial silver staff-end with 4 silver appliques showing the busts of a bull, panther, bird and human. The staff end or finial is formed as a hollow cylindrical sleeve, intended to be mounted onto the end of a staff, rod or similar fitting. The exterior is richly decorated with a continuous frieze of three-dimensional animal and human heads. A silver spiral wire wraps around the base.
-> Finials and terminals of this type served not only as decorative fittings, but also as visible markers of status, ceremony, or authority. Bird motifs were widely used in antiquity and could carry protective, symbolic, or prestigious associations.
Height: ± 50,6 mm
Condition: Good and solid condition, the human bust is restored (re-attached). The surface retains a dark silver patina. The upper rim is irregular and partially broken, showing ancient damage and loss. The overall structure remains solid and stable, the decorative elements are well preserved.
Very attractive piece. Signs of wear consistent with an ancient artefact.
Provenance: Gerhard Hirsch Auction 257 (2008) No 1771
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
-> Decorated staff terminals and finials are known from a wide range of ancient cultures, where staffs, sceptres, and rods could serve both practical and symbolic purposes. Beyond their use as walking aids or supports, such objects could denote rank, ritual office, command, or ceremonial presence. The addition of sculptural animal or bird forms elevated these fittings beyond mere utility and gave them a clear visual importance.
Bird imagery held a special place in ancient art, often connected with ideas of vigilance, protection, divinity, or communication between earthly and sacred realms. Small but carefully worked objects such as this reflect the way metalworkers transformed functional fittings into prestige items, rich in symbolic character and visual impact.
Material:
This object has been carefully examined for its material and surface characteristics.
Laboratory analysis (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting, and destructive testing is avoided as it causes permanent damage to archaeological material.
Before modern hallmarking, gold and silver alloys varied depending on local resources, recycling practices and economic conditions.
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
Ancient
Century/timeframe
2000 - 1000 BC
Name of object
Ceremonial Staff-End with Bull, Panther, Bird and Human Head Appliques
Acquired from
Antique market
Year acquired
2024
Material
Silver
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
2024
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
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.
