Mesopotamian cultural area Stone Bronze Cylinder Seal with an Audience or Veneration Scene – Ancient Orient - 3 cm
15
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08
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€ 1
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 400 - € 500
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A Mesopotamian cylinder seal with a continuous engraving of a standing figure facing a seated figure, stylistically dated to the 1st millennium BC.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Rare cylindrical bronze cylinder seal with an encircling engraving and a through-hole. The impression shows two human figures in an expressive scene: a standing figure with raised or outstretched arms faces a seated personage, possibly a ruler, dignitary, or deity. The depiction is complemented by several symbolic elements reminiscent of the visual language of the Ancient Near East.
Cylinder seals served as personal identifiers for their owners for thousands of years and were used to seal documents, goods, and containers. Rolling them across wet clay produced a continuous image, serving both administrative and representational purposes.
Stylistically, the composition recalls ancient Near Eastern audience and worship scenes from the Mesopotamian cultural sphere.
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: approx. 3.5 cm high × 1.0 cm in diameter
Date: Probably 1st millennium BC (stylistic attribution)
Culture: Ancient Near East / Mesopotamian cultural sphere (attributed)
Condition:
Attractive dark patina of age with areas of corrosion and signs of use. The engravings remain clearly visible despite age-related wear. Through-hole present. Please refer to the photos for the condition.
Provenance:
From a European private collection. Acquired in the 1960s by a private collector of ancient and archaeological objects in various countries in Southern Europe. Subsequently inherited within the family and later brought to Sweden.
The dating and cultural attribution are based on stylistic features and the recorded provenance. No scientific examination has been carried out.
An interesting collectible example of Ancient Near Eastern glyptic art, with a decorative impression, historical provenance, and attractive patina of age.
Catawiki disclaimer: This object has been dated based on style by the seller. No further tests, such as an analysis of metals (XRF test), have been conducted to check the integrity of the piece.
Rare cylindrical bronze cylinder seal with an encircling engraving and a through-hole. The impression shows two human figures in an expressive scene: a standing figure with raised or outstretched arms faces a seated personage, possibly a ruler, dignitary, or deity. The depiction is complemented by several symbolic elements reminiscent of the visual language of the Ancient Near East.
Cylinder seals served as personal identifiers for their owners for thousands of years and were used to seal documents, goods, and containers. Rolling them across wet clay produced a continuous image, serving both administrative and representational purposes.
Stylistically, the composition recalls ancient Near Eastern audience and worship scenes from the Mesopotamian cultural sphere.
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: approx. 3.5 cm high × 1.0 cm in diameter
Date: Probably 1st millennium BC (stylistic attribution)
Culture: Ancient Near East / Mesopotamian cultural sphere (attributed)
Condition:
Attractive dark patina of age with areas of corrosion and signs of use. The engravings remain clearly visible despite age-related wear. Through-hole present. Please refer to the photos for the condition.
Provenance:
From a European private collection. Acquired in the 1960s by a private collector of ancient and archaeological objects in various countries in Southern Europe. Subsequently inherited within the family and later brought to Sweden.
The dating and cultural attribution are based on stylistic features and the recorded provenance. No scientific examination has been carried out.
An interesting collectible example of Ancient Near Eastern glyptic art, with a decorative impression, historical provenance, and attractive patina of age.
Catawiki disclaimer: This object has been dated based on style by the seller. No further tests, such as an analysis of metals (XRF test), have been conducted to check the integrity of the piece.
Details
Culture
Mesopotamian cultural area
Century/timeframe
vermutlich 1. Jahrtausend v. Chr.
Name of object
Bronze Cylinder Seal with an Audience or Veneration Scene – Ancient Orient
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
Stone
Country acquired from
Unknown
Condition
Fair
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Height
3 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1960
Width
1 cm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Unknown
Depth
1 cm
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.
