Steatite bowl, with an elaborate decoration carved in relief representing bearded and winged characters, in formal attire, standing and holding a disc, maybe a cymbal, in each hand, alternating with two circular symbols and surmounted by a geometric design around the rim. Indus Valley Civilisation (2600-1900 BC). Height: 7 cm. Diameter: 12.2 cm...

A massive and very rare Faiance medallion, possible a ritual piece, Islamic world, likely Egypt, ca. 8th.-10th. century AD.

Complete amulet of a huge size in nice condition and with fine patina. Decorated with birds, peg on the backside.

Size: 59 mm. in diameter

Ex the collection of Dr. Günter Wiedner, Bayern.

Reff. These pendants are listed in "A Bead Timeline" by J.W. Lankton, p. 74

A very impressive large stone seal, Middle Assyrian Empire, 1363-912 BC.

The seal is carved in a superb green-brown stone, very glossy and depicts a human or deity with a Palm-tree and a Goat, crescent above.

Size: 36 mm. tall and 11 mm. thick.

Condition: EF, completely intact with fine patination and micro deposits.

Ex. German Private Collection

Interesting finely polished hardstone stamp seal of an early hemispheric form, late 1st. millenium BC.

The seal particularly finely polished and carved in the base with a bird.

Size: 22 mm. wide, 18 mm. tall.

Condition: Very fine, completely intact with low relief engraving.

Added to the Oberländer collection in 2006...

A nice tanged leaf shaped bronze dagger from the ancient near east, Caspian Sea Area, Mid-late Bronze age, 2nd. mill. BC.

Very broad, leaf-shaped blade with raised central midrib and a long tang - circa half the length of the blade, with a bend at the top, for better fastening to the wooden handle.

Length: c. 20 cm

Condition: Good Very fine, fine green patina.

Ex. Private Collection in Denmark, formed in the 1990's.

A large and unusual bifacial stamp seal, Ubaid-Uruk period, Late 5th.-4th. mill. BC.

The seal is round and relatively flat with central piercing and engraved with a symethrical Cruciform pattern on one side and a horned animal on the other side.

Size: c.30 mm...

A lovely substantial Persian stoneware bowl, late 12th or 13th century AD

Stoneware under an opaque turquoise and cobalt glaze with floral design and markings in black. Wonderful 'grazing' of the glaze and with irriscence.

Diameter: 21,52 cm. and 10,2 cm. tall.

Condition: Near Extremely fine for type, completely intact with small area of touched up glaze on the back. No repairs and exceptional gloss and patina.

Ex...

A massive ancient Chlorite stone Chalice with handle, Intercultural style of ancient near East / Bactria, 3rd. millenium BC.

The vessel carved in a massive chlorite stone with thick walls and high stemmed foot. It has a large handle going from the top to the foot and with a nsculptured rams head at the top. The vessel is decorated with palm trees with small Scorpios on them. Scorpios and snakes are often seen on Southern Kerman and Bactrian stone carvings in the 3rd...

An Islamic seal in a terrific quality and extra large size, probably Persian, c. 17th.-18th. cent. AD or earlier!

Engraved with finely caligraphy, round seal base with a tall domed handle, pierced at the top.

Size: 43 mm. in diameter and 40 mm tall.

Condition: Good Very fine, lovely redish patina.

Ex. Baldwins Auctions 2005...

Kohl bottle of flat shape with a long neck and flat rim, resting on four legs. Bronze, with fine dark green patina. 19th century. Height: 8.5 cm. Very good condition. A rare piece.

A good style seal carved slightly concave in a hemaetite stone, first Babylonian dynasty, (Amorite), 1894–1595 BC.

A bearded God with scimitar, stands before Shamash, with another lesser deity behind raising her hands in supplication; A sun disc set in a crescent in the fields as a symbol of the gods of the Moon and Sun.

Reff. See Mrs William H. Moore Collection #56 for a similar depiction, inscribed for Shamash.

Size: 25 mm. tall and 11 mm...

A very nice pottery bowl with torquoise glaze, black markings and a finely decorated pattern on the interior. Seljug period, 11th.-12th. century.

The bowl with fine silvery iridescence on the surface of the exterior. Very beautiful colours.

Size: 14 cm. in diameter. - c. 5,5 inches.

Condition: Choice w. spots of missing glaze and usual markings from the making. A possible hairline repair on the exterior and slight repaint.

Ex. Important Danish Private ...

Youthful head of a Bodhissatva with superbly modeled asymmetries. The protruding left side of the face together with the falling line of the eyes and of the mouth make the head appear bent to the right. The yellow-ochre face shows black eyebrows and faint red pigment on the swollen eyelids which close the eyes to slits. Traces of red also appear on the sensitively modeled fleshy mouth. A red dot on the forehead, the so-called urna, symbolizes enlightenment and wisdom. The oval face is framed b...

A very nice Uruk period West-Mesopotamian stamp seal, dating to the 4th. mill. BC.

The seal finely decorated with a stylized Ibex or Capride, oval-round shape with higher central gable.

Size: c. 25 mm. and 8 mm. tall.

Condition: Nice Very fine, with minor deposits in the details.

Added to the Oberländer collection in 2008. Comes with original ID card from the Oberländer collection and imprint!

Provenance: Gustav Oberländer (1926-2012), O...

Ancient Sumerian cream stone cylinder seal Jemdet Nasr Uruk period (3200-2900 BC) Early Dynastic Period.
CONDITION: chipped on the side.
MEASUREMENTS: Diameter 16 mm x 8 mm.
Cylinder Seals: A recessed inscription was carved onto the cylinder, which produced a raised impression when rolled on a clay tablet or envelope, these types of cylinder seals were frequently used to protect vessels, clay envelopes and storeroom door latches from tampering, the also served as a guarantee...

A massive / thick early cylinder seal in marple, carved with the 'eye' or circle/rhomboid form - a characteristic and significant design for the Period.

The Jemdet Nassr Period in seal manifacturing,3300-2900 BC, were spreading from Southern Mesopotamia, where a great number of administrative cuneiform tablets and seals came from. Such seals was used to impress pictures or descriptions into soft, prepared clay. These seals guaranteed the authenticity of marked ownership: as such, they...

A bracelet or arm ring, Ancient Near East, Median or early Achaemenid, c. 800-600 BC.

A nice somewhat cleaned bracelet of fine high quality silver with two stag heads as finials.

Size: c. 60 mm. in diameter and weighing 33.54 grams.

Ex. Cristian Spinu Private Collection, aquired at Artemission, London 2014.

A fine large oval stamp seal in green black stone, Uruk period, later 4th. mill. BC.

The seal is carved with a wonderful image of 6 centopedes in high relief, drilled horisontically.

Size: 37 mm. long.

Condition: Very Fine, with loss to small part of the but leaving the design almost intact.

Provenance: Gustav Oberländer (1926-2012), Oberländer aquired his massive and important collection between 1985 - 2000s, bought at reputable dealers and from ...

Interesting cylinder seal in black stone, Anatolia, Hittite Empire c. mid 2nd. millenium BC.

A fine carving of different animals in a charming later Anatolian style.

Size: 18 mm. tall and 9 mm. wide.

Condition: Nice Very fine, intact with ancient wear and patina.

This seal was aquired 1990 and was originally purchased out of Charles Ede collection, London. It comes with hard impression and original ID-card from below collection.

Provenance...

A lovely intact late neolithic period stamp seal, found in Amung-Ebene / Antioch, and dating around the 4th. mill. BC.

Hemispheric stamp seal with a fine high-relief carving of a sun-symbol in the base - attractive!

Size: 22 mm. in diameter and 11 mm. tall.

Condition: Good Very fine, choice and with fine patina.

This seal was aquired 1994 and comes with hard impression and original ID-card from below collection.

Provenance: Gustav Oberlände...

Hand-formed statuette of a small bird on a high foot. Compact head with pointed beak and hinted comb. Tiny punctures for the eyes and around the neck. The short body is followed by a broad, fanned tail with transverse and longitudinal grooves for the feathers.
Votive offering or toy.
Terracotta
Syro-Hittite, 2nd Millennium BC
H 4.3 cm (1.7 in)
L 3.3 cm (1.3 in)
Intact. Base with minor chips.
Ex Bonham’s London, 16.05.2002, lot no. 652.
J...

24 different images of Turkish costume from Picturesque Representations of the Dress and Manners of the Turks pub by John Murray London 1814. Old hand colouring on aquatint engravings, paper watermarked J. Whatman Turkey Mill. Price is for whole set of 24 images

Attractive larger stamp seal of a particularly fine-corned blackish stone with lighter inclusions, North Mesopotamian, 4th.-3rd. mill. BC.

It's beautiful shape is almost like a turtles shell and is highly polished and glossy. The base is engraved with an archaic style motif of two insect-like monsters fighting. Probably later Uruk period work.

Size: 27 mm. long, 25 mm. wide and 12 mm. tall.

Condition: Extremely fine.

This seal was aquired 1995 and com...

Interesting Anatolian seal from the Old Hittite to later Hittite period of the 2nd. mill. BC.

The seal finely made with a ribbed handle and a triangular base, carved with a great King holding a Lion in it's tail and stabbing it with a sword or spear.

Size: 23 x 20 mm. and 14 mm. tall.

This seal comes with hard impression and original ID-card from below collection, see pictures.

Provenance: Gustav Oberländer (1926-2012), Oberländer aquired his massive...

A quite rare stamp seal of a type with a large engraved in the base and a smaller seal engraving of the top of the high handle, Eastern Anatolia / Western Mesopotamia, Pre-halaf-Halaf period, c. 6th. mill. BC.

A rare stoneage seal and finely carved and polished.

Size: 24 mm. long and 15 mm. tall.

Condition: Nice Very fine or better, intact.

This seal comes with hard impression and original ID-card from below collection, see pictures.

Prove...

A tanged 'Luristan' bronze dagger or short sword from Ancient Near East, Caspian Sea Area, Bronze age, dating to mid 2nd mill BC.

The sword with high, rounded shoulders and slight central midrib.

Length: c. 33,5 cm.

Condition: Fine green patina. Some roughness to the edges.

Ex. Private Collection in Denmark, formed in the 1990's.

A choice and large tanged bronze lance, Ancient Near East, mid 2nd. millenium BC. Turkmenistan / Uzbekistan bronze age.

A very impressive and decorative bronze lance with a long, bent tang, massive socket and a broad, leaf-shaped blade with highly profiled midrib.

A beautiful lance that would have been highly efficient on combat.

Size: c. 42 cm. long. - 16 inches.

Condition: Choice. Beautiful green bronze patina. Some roughness to the edge.

...

Ancient Hittite 2000 B.C. -1500 B.C. Western Asia, Anatolia, bronze figurine of a Zebu Bull standing majestically on four legs with horns, body pierced with a hole for suspension. Cast with fine details using a lost wax method.

MEASUREMENTS: Overall length: 4.8 cm (1.89 inches). Height: 4.5 (1.77 inches) Weight: 48 grams.

CONDITION: In good condition considering its age to be over 2700 years, showing its age and usage with a green patina and earthen mineral deposits, one horn bro...

A rectagular bifacial stamp seal with a large handle in a black serpentine stone. The seal is carved with an impression of an animal in the handle as well as a larger depiction in the base of a deity standing on the back of a four-legged animal. Unidentified objects on either side of the deity, perhaps symbolizing weapons. Northern Mesopotamia, and probably later 2nd. millenium BC.

Size: 21-22 mm. long x 18 mm. wide, c. 16 mm. tall.

Condition: Good Very fine, completely...

A scaraboid stamp seal in black stone, made in the Assyrian client states in Western Mesopotamia, fine mid-Assyrian style, c. late 2nd. millenium BC.

Reportedly found near Antioch.

Winged Deity, probably Ashur tending the Tree of Life, interesting symbols. Stylized scarab carved in an attractive black stone.

Size: 22 mm. long and 20 mm. wide!

Condition: Extremely fine and with a nice patina and still with some sandy deposits.

Provenance: G...

This is an exciting little repousse plaque or pendant found in the city of Gilgit. The city of Gilgit was an important hub along the silk road. The image and decor of the piece appears to be Gandharan but as I am not an expert on that particular culture I could be mistaken in my attribution. This piece measures roughly 2 cm square. It is a magnificent piece for any collection of ancient art or jewelry. Please email if you need any further information or photographs.

An ancient Jemdet Nasr cylinder seal from the famous Erlenmeyer collection.
This is a typical Jemdet Nasr cylinder seal of the "seated women“ or „pigtailed“ group and are often made of red or pinkish limestone. The amulet was bought from Galerie Günter Puhze and will come with their CoA.

For comparable ones see:
Metropolitan Museum of Art, Accession Number: 62.70.74
British Museum, BM/Big number: 89355 or 129598

Date: Late Uruk - Jemdet Nasr, ca. 3300 - 2900 B....

A cast bronze sword from Ancient Near East, Amlash, dating to around 14th-10th cent BC. Tapering double-edged, slightly convex blade with flat mid-rib and short tang with hole for a rivet to fasten handle. Size: c. 51 cm - c. 19,5 inches. Condition: Choice. Slight roughness to the blade, beautiful green bronze patina. . Ex. Private Collection. Comes with our COA and guaranteed authentic.

An exceptional early image of Buddha in meditation, Indonesia, Java, late 8th century-mid 9th century AD.

The buddha is expertly carved in a high quality Andesite stone. The vulcanic stone is dense and finely polished with inclusions of other stones, incl. a fantastic green hardstone in his forehead. This stone could have been purposely selected for this inclusion - to show his divinity.

The Buddha is bareheaded and seated in deep meditation with downcast eyes and a serene...

A very attractive stamp seal in a red brown glossy stone and a small perforated handle, Mesopotamia Uruk period, probably 3rd. millenium BC.

Finely engraved in the base with several animals!

Size: 24 mm. wide (diameter) and 14 mm. tall.

This seal comes with hard impression and original ID-card from below collection, see pictures.

Provenance: Gustav Oberländer (1926-2012), Oberländer aquired his massive and important collection between 1985 - 2000s, b...

Gandharan Kushan Period 2-3c Stucco Buddha head fragment from a Buddhist temple , slight traced of color remain. Size H 4" W 2.5" D 2.75" unmounted.

Interesting rectangular seal engraved on all 4 sides with human figures and stars, central drilling, North-West Mesopotamia, c. 4th.-3rd. mill. BC.

Size: 21 x 12 x 9 mm.

Condition: Very fine, some deposits and small ancient chip to a corner.

Added to the Oberländer collection in 1994. Comes with original ID card from the Oberländer collection and imprint!

Provenance: Gustav Oberländer (1926-2012), Oberländer aquired his massive and important colle...

A lovely Epigraphic pottery bowl with fine style Cufic caligraphy, Islamic Samenid Dynasty, ca. 9th.-10th. century.

A massive conical bowl both wide and tall and decorated with wonderful caligraphy in black on white glaze.

Size: Near 32 cm. wide and 12 cm. tall.

Condition: Extremely fine for this rare type and large size. Restored from few larger fragments, some repainted in the joint-areas, perhaps some strengthening, but very good original crackled glaze. See t...

An accomplished and very interesting larger stone cylinder seal, from the Uruk period of Mesopotamia, c. 3500-3000 BC.

The fine drill-style carved shows thick vertical bars, and some strange creatures behind and around these bars. Attractive high relief seal carved in a black stone, with loop at the top instead of the usual vertical drilling.

Size: c. 27 mm. tall, and 13 mm. wide.

Condition: Good Very fine, finely preserved with nice patina and deposits.

An attractive Uruk Zoomorphic stamp seal pendant, c. late 4th.-early 3rd. millenium BC.

The seal carved in a wonderful transperant stone and depicts an animal rearing it's head. The base carved with a Grit pattern and central piercing.

Size: 20 mm. tall and 19 mm. wide. A substantial amulet-seal for the period.

Condition: Good Very fine, tiny chip at one side of the head othervise completely intact with nice patina.

Added to the Oberländer collection ...

A triangular stamp seal with handle, Western Mesopotamia, c. 3rd. millenium BC.

Very large for type and with an interesting two colour stone where the upperside is calsified white and the base is in the original brown stone. The seal is engraved with a reclining animal on it's base.

Size: 29 x 29 mm. 18 mm. tall.

Condition: Very fine, intact and very attractive, with much even wear.

Added to the Oberländer collection in 1995. Comes with original ID c...

This exquisite Near Eastern artifact is a cylindrical seal skillfully crafted from a smooth and creamy beige stone, believed to be either marble or alabaster. The seal's surface is adorned with a stunning linear pattern, intricately carved to create an intricate design that has stood the test of time. Dating back to the ancient period of 3300-2900 B.C., this masterpiece is a remarkable testament to the artistic and technical skills of those who lived in that era.

MEASUREMENTS:

Height: ...

A very attractive pottery bowl, in a nice fairly original state for type with caligraphy, Islamic Samenid Dynasty, ca. 9th.-10th. century.

A larger bowl both wide and tall and decorated with wonderful caligraphy in black on cream glaze with red drops added.

Size: 24 cm. wide and 9 cm. tall.

Condition: Choice for type with original crackled glaze with much patina. Some breaks restored and repainted, especially in the center.

Provenance: Important Danish...

A choice stamp seal carved in harder black stone, probably serpentine, West Mesopotamian, 4th.-3th. mill. BC.

An early prototype of the square stamp seal with a handle, later so popular. This seal is engraved with stylized animals in it's base.

Size: 25 mm. wide, 24 mm. tall.

Condition: Near Extremely fine, attractive.

This seal was aquired 2003 and comes with original hard impression and original ID-card from below collection.

Provenance: G...

Interesting cylinder seal in black stone with a warrior holding a spear in a running stance inside two rows of running animals, Old Assyrian, Early 2nd mill. BC.

Size: c. 17 mm.

Condition: Nice Very fine, intact with fine wear and deposits.

Provenance: The Karl Müller collection, Germany 1950-1977. Comes with original imprint and COA.

A large and impressive bronze seal with Zoomorphic handle in the shape of two bird heads, early 1st. mill. BC.

The seal very large - 5 cm. tall and weighing 56 grams. Its cast with two heads and a loop between them. The seal being round and engraved with a single symbol.

Condition: Superb, exceptional red and green patina.

Ex. North German Private Collection from the 1970s-1980s.

Authentic ancient Luristan Babylonian Type bronze Sword circa 1200 -1000 BC. A flanged hilt and blade finely cast in one piece. A very fine example of an authentic Ancient Luristan bronze dagger, of elegant form, from the Bronze Age circa 1200 -1000 BC. A tapering double-edged blade, a shaped hilt with an elliptical pommel, hollowed on each face for a pair of grip-scales. In the period when the sword was used, the handle would have had a bone or wooden insert, but these never survive three thous...

The cylinder seal is carved in fine white-beige stone, and can be dated to Mesopotamia, Late Jemdet Nasr period, c. 3000-2900 BC. (Collon, period 1B).

The impressive seal is carved with 4 horned animals in very deep relief all the way around the thick cylinder.

Size: 30 mm. tall and 24 mm. wide.

Condition: Very fine, intact with some wear and corrosion and quite attractive.

Ex. Private Collection of Jens Knudsen, Hamburg, from c. 1980-1998. Comes with ...

A fine larger stamp seal with a handle in cream stone, made during Hittite expansion in the Hittite style, c. 2nd. millenium BC.

The seal plate is round and depicts a pair of animals and the handle engraved with a drilled male with sword! Probably a warrior.

Size: 26 mm. in diameter and 28 mm. tall.

Condition: Good Very fine.

Comes with the original hard clay impression from below collection. Aquired to the Oberländer collection in 2003.

...

A nearly superb Islamic Sgraffito pottery bowl, Bamiyan, c. 12th cent AD.

Nice earthenware bowl with incised decorations in the interior. Beige/white underglaze with green and brown decorative colors in splashy designs.

Of rounded form with flaring sides and upright rim.

Size: 16,5 x 9 cm.

Condition: Nearly superb for type and age. Intact with a few old chips to rim and exterior.

Provenance: Prominent Danish-French Private Estate collec...

A scarce triangular stamp seal, carved in a fine red jasper stone with a grit-pattern in the base, probably 2nd. mill. BC.

Though the motif of the grit pattern points to a pre-historic dating, the choice of stone and the shape and polishing of this seal, probably makes the seal much later, made up in the 2nd. mill. BC.

Condition: Good Very fine.

Size: 18 x 13 mm. and 13 mm. tall.

Condition: Good Very fine.

Added to the Oberländer collectio...

A very large and finely preserved bronze seal with a loop on the back and a cross designs, Bactria, 3rd. millenium BC.

Very impressive round seal with 4 large cross-arms in the openwork style. The seal belongs to one of the varied mostly circular metal “stamp seals” relief cast in bronze or copper alloy, but more rarely in silver or gold, which is classified as so-called “compartmented seal” (a term first used in 1943 by the British archaeologist Stuart Pigott – 1943. P. 1...

Interesting stamp seal from the Urartu Kingdom of the bell-shaped type, in translucent Alabaster, very attractive! Seal is carved with a complicated pattern.

Size: 16 mm. tall. and 9 mm. wide.

Condition: Near Very fine, small loss to one side of the loop..

This seal comes with hard impression and original ID-card from below collection, see pictures.

Provenance: Gustav Oberländer (1926-2012), Oberländer aquired his massive and important collection bet...

Important silver alloy plate, with an embossed décoration representing two women facing each other. Bactria, Ca. 500 BC. Diameter: 20.2 cm. Very good condition.

A very interesting, large and thick block-shaped seal in black serpentine, Mesopotamian, c. 3rd. mill. BC., could be a bit later (?)

Drill style carving in high relief, very precise and still difficult to sort out, probably an animal but we're not certain. Also see mr. Oberlánders drawing of this motif.

Size: 28 mm. in length and 21 mm. wide, 13 mm. thick.

Condition: VF, some wear smaller losses, basically intact.

This seal was aquired 1991 and com...

An exceptional stamp seal in a fine harder greyish green stone, Anatolia / Northern Syria c. 4th. millenium BC.

The base of the seal is engraved with a fantastic and very graphical depiction of a flock of birds in flight.

A superb Gable seal type with perfect symethri and sharp lines and the impressive size makes it worthy of any collection of early seals.

Size: 60 mm. long and 29 mm. wide.

Condition: Extremely fine, smooth glossy patina with no wear...

Nice lot of unresearched scaraboid stone seals, Mid-Assyrian period or later 2nd. mill. BC.

Mainly carved with animals. The lot includes seals with wear or minor chips.

Size: c. 16-21 mm. long.

Comes with original ID-cards from below collection.

Provenance: Gustav Oberländer (1926-2012), Oberländer aquired his massive and important collection between 1985 - 2000s, bought at reputable dealers and from old collections. Gustav Oberländer specialized i...

This is a museum quality example of a very rare word type from the ancient middle East.It has a hollow cast, mushroom shaped pommel and a heavy, crescent shaped guard. The blade is long and heavy with several blood grooves cast into it. There are no signs of repair or restoration to this amazing piece of ancient history. The overall length of this exquisite piece is 55 cm.

Attractive seal carved in the hemispheric-dome shape in a greenish-black hardstone, Early Achaemenid c. 7th.-5th. cent BC.

The seal engraved in the base with a fancy bird, probably a Peacock, which was a much favored bird among the Persians.

Condition: Extremely fine.

Size: 16 x 15 mm.

Comes with the original collection Id-card and imprint.

Provenance: Gustav Oberländer (1926-2012), Oberländer aquired his massive and important collection ...

A wonderful pottery bowl, in a original state for type with Pseudo-caligraphy, Islamic, ca. 10th.-11th. century.

A larger conical bowl both wide and tall and decorated with stylized pseudo-caligraphy in black on beige glaze all around the interior and a line in green near the rim. Inscribed with old hand from the collector in the bottom 'Nichapour'.

Size: 25 cm. wide and 11 cm. tall.

Condition: Choice for type. A few cracks restored, but much original glaze. See...