Large terracotta bull with prominent horns and a pronounced hump on the back. The holes for the wheel axles on the integrated base are indicative of a child's toy.
Also the small hole at the very front of the base, which was used to attach a pull cord.
Terracotta
Near Eastern, 1st millennium BC
H. 17.1 cm (6.7 in), L. 14.2 cm (5.6 in)
Encrusted and worn, but intact.
Private NYC collection, acquired 1970s-1980s...

Terracotta bowl enamelled with coper green and manganese yellow ocher on a cream ground, incised decoration of scrolls and stylized flowers. Persia around the year 900 Nichapur kilns. Diameter 27cm. Broken and glued. On the back an English collection label. The style is inspired by Chinese ceramics of the Tang dynasty

A nice and interesting large ceramic seal, square seal plate with small knob handle at the back and depicting animals within a square dotted border.

Size: c. 6 cm. wide.

Condition: Very fine.

Ex. Danish Private Collection.

Interesting and rare gable seal in a scarce oval form and lovely dark red jasper stone, depicting 4-legged animal, probably feline, Levantine or Anatolian 4th. millenium BC.

A very attractive archaic carving and large for the Jasper stone used.

Size: 30 mm...

Fine larger figural stone stamp seal of Anatolia or Northern Syria, Ubaid-Uruk period, 4th. millenium BC.

Nice carving in an attractive black serpentine stone, with the typical 'gable' handle, so popular in the Ubaid/Uruk period of Anatolia and Syria.

Size: c. 30 mm...

This exquisite ancient artifact is a bronze sword from the North-Western Asiatic "Amlash" region, which dates back to the 10th-8th century B.C. The sword was discovered in the vicinity of the Caspian Sea area and is a rare find. The intricate design of the hilt is formed of two segments, with the grip featuring a square section. The disk pommel is extended to a conical molding, making it visually striking...

This remarkable artifact is a bronze sword that dates back to the 14th and 10th century B.C. It was discovered in the North-Western Asiatic-Caspian Sea area and features a finely cast tapering double-edged blade with a median ridge. At the ricasso, there is a raised penannular panel that adds a unique touch to the sword's design. The grip is integral, with flanges to the edges that make it easy to hold, and each face is hollowed to insert a pair of grip scales...

This exquisite artifact is an ancient North-Western Asiatic short bronze sword or dagger that dates back to a period between 1200 and 800 B.C. The craftsmanship is truly impressive, as the sword has been cast using the lost wax process to create a perfectly formed solid bronze hilt of oval shape. The hilt is adorned with double rings that give it a unique and elegant appearance...

This is an exceptional piece of history - a museum-quality bronze axe head from the Luristan region, dating back to the period of 1250-900 BC. The axe head boasts a unique design, featuring a flaring and downward-curved blade accentuated by central and side reliefs. The cylindrical ribbed shaft enhances its aesthetics, and four conical spikes ensure stability. This artifact offers a glimpse into the ancient world and the remarkable craftsmanship of that era...

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)...

An unusually large and choice terracotta fertility figure of female form, Bajaur (Indus Valley), c. 3000-2500 BC.

A hollow mould-made Indus Valley red terracotta statuette modelled in a stylised manner with applied facial features of birdlike form. Also with applied arms and beasts on the cone-shaped body.

Size: 21 cm. tall and 8 cm...

An unusually large and choice terracotta fertility figure of female form, Bajaur (Indus Valley), c. 3000-2500 BC.

A hollow mould-made Indus Valley red terracotta statuette modelled in a stylised manner with applied facial features of birdlike form. Also with applied arms and beasts on the cone-shaped body.

Size: 20,7 cm. tall and 8,3 cm...

A nice larger terracotta fertility figure of female form, Bajaur (Indus Valley), c. 3000-2500 BC.

A hollow mould-made Indus Valley red terracotta statuette modelled in a stylised manner with applied facial features of birdlike form. Also with applied arms and beasts on the cone-shaped body.

Size: 14,5 cm. tall and 8 cm. wide.

Condition: Very fine for type, a few losses to the applications in antiquity, no modern repairs and with nice patina.

Ex Antiqui...

Interesting and massive bronze ring with standing human on the Bezel, Amlash / South Caspian Sea area, c. early 2nd. millenium BC.

An unsually large ring for it's type. Normally these are decorated with applied patterns on a spiral - in this case the ringmaker also found space for a standing human figure with a weapon or a staff in his left hand, likely a mythical figure or a warrior. Lovely red and blue-green patina!

Size: The round bezel measure 27 mm. in diameter and the...

Interesting stamp seal in a greenish black stone, Anatolia, Neo Hittite states of the late 2nd.-early 1st. millenium BC.

The seal with high pierced handle and oval base, engraved with what appears to be scriptsigns, perhaps Luwian, we're not experts in these.

Size: 22 mm tall and quite massive.

Condition: good Very fine, nicely preserved with fine patina and a sharp imprint.

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

Lot of three very attractive and massive Sasanian stamp seals in beautiful stones, all with engravings relative to the Gilgamesh myth in low relief, 3th.-6th. cent. AD.

A nice lot that we bundle to safe listing time!

Diameter: 30, 31 and 26 mm.!

Condition: Fine to Very Fine.

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

Interesting and quite rare light brown stone cylinder seal, Early 3rd. millenium BC.

A beautiful and highly concave cylinder seal carved with long centripeds! The seal dates to the 3rd. milleniun BC - Pre-Early Dynastic. Finely carved and high attractive!

Size: 22 x 16 mm.

Condition: Good Very Fine, basically intact and with a nice ancient patina, very sharp.

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

A choice collection of unresearched stamp seals, all with different designs, c. 6th.-3rd. millenium BC.

The small collection includes seals carved in a variety of stones; there's a gable seal from the 4th. millenium, several early rectangular seals with cross patterns, some with grit-patterns and a couple of later stone seals, one with a 'sun' pattern, probably from the Persian hemisphere.

Size: Up to 2 cm.

Condition: Choice! All are basically intact and some w...

An interesting gable stamp seal with the Zig-zag engraving that has been interpreted by scolars in seals as an early representation of a Scorpio, Anatolia or Syria, c. 4th. millenium BC.

Finely polished and engraved, rectangular with a clear gable form. Drilled.

Size: 21 x 19 mm.

Condition: Good Very fine for the type, with a nice patina, uncleaned deposits.

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

Rare and museum-quality ancient bronze dagger blade from the early Bronze Age, dating back to 2300-2000 B.C. It was found in Asia Minor (Anatolia), specifically in the central part of Northern Anatolia, belonging to the Hattian civilization. The blade is finely cast in one piece and has a tapering double-edged structure with a pointed tip. On each face, there is a pronounced central ridge flanked by two narrow ribs that extend from the tip of the blade to the short tang, which is pierced with a ...

This ancient artifact is a stunning bronze spearhead with a double-edged blade that tapers to a sharp point, perfect for penetrating armor or fending off enemies. It features a flattened central rib that runs down the blade's center and extends into a rectangular tang, providing a secure grip for its wielder.

This remarkable piece dates back to the 14th-10th century B.C. and was found in the Caspian Sea area of Amlash. Its intricate design and impeccable craftsmanship are a testament to the...

This exceptional artifact is a one-piece dagger blade made of bronze, originating from the North-Western part of Asia during the Ancient Bronze Age, which existed from 1500 to 1200 B.C. The blade is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, displaying a tapering double-edged structure with a pronounced central rib. The rib, which runs down the center of the blade, would have added strength to the weapon. The blade also has a short tang, which is a protruding part of the blade that would have been used to ...

Finely painted and early Indo-persian manuscript depicting a late sunset trip on the river just in front of a fortified city. A powerful man seated on the throne, perhaps a Caliph or Emir, in a horse-headed boat with Concubines and attendants. The other side with text. Finely coloured and gilt in parts!

Size: 21,8 cm x 16 cm.

Ex. Strømberg Antiques, Copenhagen, 1980s.

Finely painted and early Indo-persian manuscript depicting a Price with his Concubine on a golden couch with two female attendants in front of a Palace with a finely lit landscabe behind. The other side with text. Finely coloured and gilt in parts!

Size: 25 cm x 16 cm.

Ex. Strømberg Antiques, Copenhagen, 1980s.

Finely painted and early Indo-persian manuscript depicting a important with elephants and royalty. The other side with text. Finely coloured and gilt in parts!

Size: 24,7 cm x 17 cm.

Ex. Strømberg Antiques, Copenhagen, 1980s.

A fine and impressive large stoned seal, Middle Assyrian Empire, 1363-912 BC.

The seal carved with a stylized hunting-scene with armed men and animals.

Size: 30 mm. tall and 13 mm. thick.

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

Ex. German Private Collection

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

A lovely stamp seal uncleaned and as found, still with dirt in the devices and with uncleaned deposits! Round seal engraved in the base with a Cruciform design and pierced through, Mesopotamian, Late Ubad- Early Uruk period, 4th. millenium BC.

Size: 20 mm.

Condition: Good Very fine, small gauge at the back, othervise intact and with great cleaning potential.

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

A fine thick cylinder seal carved in green-black stone, Old Assyrian Empire, local Levantine provincial style, Early 2nd. millenium BC.

Relatively large and attractive seal engraved with a running man or deity, a horned animal and a palmtree, crescent above.

Size: 23 mm. x 14 mm.

Condition: Extremely fine and intact with deposits and patina.

Ex. German Private Collection

A nice larger stone seal, Middle Assyrian Empire, 1363-912 BC.

The seal is carved in a jet black stone, and depicts a crowded array of a human, animals and symbols, (bad roll-out, the seal is sharper).

Size: 28-29 mm. tall and 14 mm. thick.

Condition: VF, intact with fine patination and micro deposits.

Ex. German Private Collection

A fine hardstone cyliner seal, Middle Assyrian Empire, 1363-912 BC.

The seal is carved in a matte-black stone and depicts a hunting scene with the great bending to shoot an arrow against a 4-legged animal, crescent above.

Size: 26-27 mm. tall and 11 mm. thick.

Condition: VF, intact with some wear and fine patination and micro deposits.

Ex. German Private Collection

Ancient Armenian Urartian bronze large bowl for libation (phiale) or a wine bowl, Urartu circa 9th-7th century B.C.

The walls, hammered from a single sheet of bronze, are decorated with 49 vertical ribs in fine repoussé work, radiating from a central roundel. A slightly flaring rim chased with four rings and a continuous scalloped pattern above the ribs.

Libation bowls, of similar form and pattern, are known as phiale, were used across a wide geographical area - from ancient Greece, C...

This exquisite short sword or dagger blade is a stunning example of Bronze Age craftsmanship dating back to 1500-1200 B.C. It was discovered in the North-Western Asiatic region close to the Caspian Sea. The blade is cast in one piece, with a double-edged tapering design that comes together at a pronounced central rib. The blade has a short tang that was used to attach the handle. The use of bronze in crafting this piece is a testament to the exquisite skill and artistry of the ancient artisans w...

Ancient Near Eastern, Gilan 4th-3trd century B.C. Tube glass bead of spindle –shape with onyx-like pattern.

REFERENCES: Similar beads are in the collection of the Institute of Oriental Culture, Tokyo University. Please see the picture of the page attached to the listing.

We will also provide the buyer with photocopies of the pages from the mentioned references together with a certificate of authenticity.

MEASUREMENTS: Length 4 cm (1.57 inches).

A nice early cylinder seal in cream stone, Greater Mesopotamia, early 2nd. mill. BC.

Size: 23 mm. long.

Ex. Old German Private Collection.

Interesting small lot from closed antiguties shop:

- Persian Islamic bronze handle, c. 16th.-17th. cent.
- Bronze bird finial
- Silver Islamic bird amulet (Both Khorassan)
-Bronze buckle (c. 10th.-13th. cent. AD)

Ex. 'Hafnia Coins & Antiques' inventory from the 1990s.