A wonderful old Mesopotamian / Sumerian Cylinder seal, 4th.-early 3rd. mill. BC.
A vividly carved seal in high relief (shaped like an hour glass), engraved with stylized animals, pre-dynastic very early seal.
Size: 19-20 cm. tall and 14 mm. wide.
Ex. German Private Collection
Rare Seljuk bronze key with an eagle standing on the back of a rooster while pecking at the head of its prey. The rooster has a small crest and protruding eyes.
Birds play an important role in the Seljuk decorative repertoire, and in this case they probably evoke a demonstration of power.
Cast into a two-piece mold and showing a casting seam.
Bronze
Islamic, Seljuq Period, 11th-12th century AD
L. 9.1 cm (3.7 in)
Rare piece. Surface slightly corroded...
Highly interesting collectors lot of three different types of stamp seals, Anatolia, 3rd.-1st. millenium BC.
The lot includes a scarce 2nd. millenium Hittite type of 4-side stamp with 4 different impressions of humans and plants, a triangular seal with a knob handle and engraved with a floral pattern and lastly, a cone-shaped seal with round base engraved with scriptssigns(?). All carved in black serpentine.
Interesting lot for study...
Interesting lot of 4 ancient weights of different usage, Greek and roman, 3rd. cent. BC-3rd. cent. AD.
Lot includes to fine Greek larger stone weights, with loops at the top weighing 33.57 grams, and possible used for weaving, a pendant shaped lead weight with loop, Roman and finally another Roman weight of bronze shaped as a bird and weighing 33,76 grams.
Condition: Intact with fine patinas, several rare pieces.
Ex. private Collection
Ancient Near East, Luristan, ca. 1200 to 800 BC. A large elaborate bronze cloak pin, cast via the lost wax (cire perdue) process with large Zoomorphic beast terminal.
Used to fasten clothes, in this case due to the unusually heavy fabric and decoration, likely leather for presentation use - perhaps for a very thick cape or leather armor.
Size: 22 cm. with the terminal being 3,3 cm...
Ancient Near East, Luristan, ca. 1200 to 800 BC. An elaborate bronze cloak pin, cast via the lost wax (cire perdue) process with a Zoomorphic beast terminal.
Used to fasten clothes, in this case due to the unusually heavy fabric and decoration, likely leather for presentation use - perhaps for a very thick cape or leather armor.
Size: 11,2 cm.
Condition: Superb! Wonderful dark-green patina.
Ex German Collection from Hessen, aquired before 1970.
Large skyphos with tapered body, rounded shoulder and straight lip. Oblique handles on the shoulder, standing on a ring base. Hard-fired ceramic decorated with horizontal bands of reddish glaze. Groups of wavy lines on the reserved handle zone.
Orientates on cups of the Thapsos Class and derived types.
For a related example, cf. Beazley Archive vase 9008878.
Etruscan, Italo-Geometric, 700-650 BC
Ceramic
H. 11 cm (4.3 in), D. rim 13 cm (5.1 in)
W...
Egyptian head of a king with tightly fitting headdress, the uraeus and the vulture partially preserved on the forehead.
Eyes and eyebrows recessed to bear inlays. Also the body of the rearing uraeus was originally inlayed.
Attractive facial features with slightly aquiline nose and full lips, the almond-shaped eyes with cosmetic lines to the outer corners. False beard missing.
For a related example, cf. inv. no...
Highly stylized female figure carved from a piece of bone. The prominent head with two deep vertical incisions that delimit the sides of the nose and of the pursed lips. Swiftly incised horizontal lines to delineate the brow and the chin. The eyes and other details may have been painted.
Deep incisions across the chest, marked lines around the waist. Drilled holes to the sides of the breasts, to thread through a piece of string to attach separate arms...
A lovely detailed massive silver figurine of a Male Godess standing with patera (offerbowl), Roman 2nd.-3rd. century AD.
Silver votive figures like this was popular among the elite in Rome. The figure could depict the God bacchus, god of wine.
Height 38mm, massive weighing 16,07g.
Ex. Austrian Private Collection since the 1970s.
A large and very nicely carved stamp seal in black stone, Anatolia/Levante, 2nd. millenium BC.
Lovely engravings of a horned bull attacked by a Lion on one side and on the other side, an impressive winged Goat, with small bearded human head above.
Interesting and very rare!
Size: 3,4 cm. in diameter and ca. 1 cm. thick.
Condition: Very fine and basically intact with central piercing at a later time and some flaking...
A lovely larger silver figure of a Hare, Roman Imperial, 1st.-3rd. century AD.
Very nice roman style and of high grade silver.
Size: 31-32 mm. weighing 5,69 grams.
Condition: Superb, attractive old greyish toning.
Ex. Austrian Private Collection since the 1970s.
A lovely silver figure of a mouse running a single wheel with it's paw, Roman, 1st.-3rd. century AD.
Very nice roman style and of high grade silver.
Size: Weighing 4.44 grams and ca. 2.1 cm. long.
Condition: Choice, thick old silver patina.
Ex. Austrian Private Collection since the 1970s.
A beautiful silver bust of a Godess, Roman Imperial, 1st.-3rd. century AD.
Very nice roman style and of high grade and partly gilt silver.
Size: 3,62 grams and c. 1,7 cm. tall.
Condition: Superb, attractive old greyish toning.
Ex. Austrian Private Collection since the 1970s.
Interesting seal carved in a hard black stone, likely Serpentine with a handle, 4th.-2nd. millenium BC.
The seal in engraved with what looks like ancient scriptsigns, but it needs further research.
Size: 25 mm.
Condition: Very fine and intact with nice ancient wear overall.
Ex German Collection from Hessen, aquired before 1970.
Ancient Egyptian Red Fainence Monkey Amulet 1,4 cm
Provenance: Old German collection befor 1983
Condition: look at pictures
If you are interested, feel free to send me a offer a.v.d.b@egyptian-artefacts.de
Rare Orientalizing belt buckle with hooks ending in phalli with small wings.
Hooks and loops appear on narrow rectangular frames, to which a leather or fabric belt was attached.
This type of buckles reflect the popularity of Near Eastern fashion in early Etruscan art.
For a related example, cf. acc. no. 54.170 in the Walters Art Museum database.
For further belt buckles, cf. items 93-95, pp. 79-80 in: Ines Jucker. The Italy of the Etruscans. Jerusalem 1991.
Bro...
An interesting set of Western-Central Asian / Bactrian bronzes from 2nd. millenium BC.
A drinking bowl with low rim and cup with a somewhat higher vessel. The cup is quite massive and heavy.
Large vessel with high walls - for food or water storage. A small omphalos in the interior.
Sizes: 9 x 3 & 8 x 4,5 cm / 3,5 x 1,2 & 3 x 1,8 inches.
Condition: Choice, uncleaned bowls. The cup with a hairline crack. Very nice patinas.
Ex Danish Private...
A beautiful pair of Thinbladed Danish Neolithic Axes dating to 3rd mill BC.
The 'thinbladed' types of axes, developed in the later 3rd mill. where the flintsmiths began to make more specialised, smaller tools. Both are unpolished with nice glossy patinas.
One is an adze with a slightly hollow edge - the other axe with calky white patina on one side. Mottled beige and white on the other side.
Sizes: 12 & 13,8 cm - 4,7 &5,5 inches.
Condition: Choice ax...
A fine intact votive pottery figurine of an infant in a cradle, Greek ca. 3rd.-2nd. century BC.
A rare and beautiful ceramic composition of a naked infant boy laying with arms above the head in a cradle / bed. Very interesting piece!
Size: 11,3 cm. long.
Condition: Choice for type, intact with typical wear and patina.
Ex. Private Collection of G. Hauck, Germany, from earlier German Collections from the 19th. century.
A choice Islamic Sgraffito pottery dish, Bamiyan, c. 12th cent AD.
Nice earthenware dish with incised, floral decorations in the interior. Beige/white underglaze with green and brown decorative colors.
Size: 15,5 x 4 cm.
Condition: Choice & intact. Fine condition for the type with original glaze. A few chips in the interior and on the rim.
Provenance: Prominent Danish-French Private Estate collection, (aquired 1970- c. 2007) of Islamic pottery ware fr...
A choice Islamic Sgraffito pottery dish, Bamiyan, c. 12th cent AD.
Nice earthenware dish with incised, decorations in the interior. Beige/white underglaze with green and brown decorative colors in splash designs.
Size: 15,7 x 3,8 cm.
Condition: Choice & intact. Fine condition for the type with original glaze. A few chips in the interior and on the rim.
Provenance: Prominent Danish-French Private Estate collection, (aquired 1970- c. 2007) of Islamic po...
Interesting and beautiful fragment (half) of a battle axe, helbard type, 2800-2400 BC.
The axe carved in a unique stone with multible fossils included, a rarity as such.
Size: 8,4 cm. long and 6 cm. wide over the broad bit.
Ex. Danish Collection
Important: This item comes with a standard export license issued by Danish Ministry of Culture, when shipped outside Denmark. The license can only be issued after sale, and may take some time.
A scarce Danish neolithic Daggeraxe from the Funnelbeaker culture dating to 3500-3000 BC.
The daggeraxes were mounted on shafts just like axes, and there is a general understanding that their use was connected to rituals and ceremonies as well as used as weapons. But compared to daggers and axes, the daggeraxes were only made in very limited numbers and are thus rare today.
A particularly large and attractive daggeraxe. It has been skillfully knapped and partly polished an...
A stunning, attractive macehead of a nice large size, in fine redish granite, 3rd. millenium BC.
The artifact is polished to a perfectly symethric compressed oval form with a deep groove in the center. These were made by the singlegrave culture and was a weapon like the battle axes from this fase and as attractive and perfect.
Size: 95 mm. long, 80 mm. wide and 57 mm. thick.
Condition: Superb, with fine patina and undamaged.
Ex. Private Collection.
...
A lovely Phoenician / Early Greek period terracotta figure of Astarta, ca. 5th. century BC.
She is so fine standing nude with hands out from the hips wearing a headdress, long pony tail at the back. Wonderful details!
Size: 10,2 cm.
Condition: Choice! Originally cast with seperate arms so these deattached when cleaned and was reattached.
Ex. Old Danish Collection
Deep blue glazed faience shabti for Nesy-per-nub, one of the important priests in the second Cache of Deir El Bahri. His shabtis display text variants that refer to his various titles.
The two columns of hieroglyphic text read: (1) O shabti, say: I will irrigate [the riparian lands] (2) for the Osiris, the ‘Scribe of the temple of Mut’, Nesy-per-nub, justified.
The hieroglyph for the goddess Mut is cursorily rendered. Strangely enough, the craftsman forgot the hieroglyph/phone...
An interesting large Roman-Late Roman bronze Oil Lamp, ca. 3rd.-5th. century AD:
The lamp round with two arrow-shaped nozzles / spouts and a lid.
Size: Max 11,5 cm. incl. nozzles.
Condition: Fine, fractured at one side and lid repaired. Nice green patina.
Ex. Hirsch Auctions, old private collection.
19th century Persian silver melon shape salt shaker with repousse branch on top surrounded by a band of small flowers, and with pendant drapery in every sector of the bottom part. Last quarter of 19th century, Qajar dynisty era, very well made, two parts fit snugly, in excellent vintage condition, nicely tarnished (can be cleaned with silver tarnish remover in a minute if needed). Hallmarked with 2 characters on the bottom. Diameter 2 inches, height 2 inches, weight 1.45 ounces (41 grams).
Nice anepigraphic shabti, depicted mummiform with tripartite wig and false beard.
The small face shows nicely modeled features and rather large ears.
The hands are crossed over the chest and hold agricultural implements. The seedbag is slung over the left shoulder. The shabti has a back pillar and stands on an integral base.
The remnants of bone glue on the back point to an old mount. Bone glue was a material used until the 1950s.
Faience
Egyptian, Late Period,...
Finely modeled shabti for the priest Ankh-Hap, who holds the title of a ‘Great Warrior’.
The inscription in one vertical column on the front begins with the sehedj-formula: The illuminated Osiris, the great warrior and revered master, Ankh-Hap.
The rather round face shows well-drawn eyes and eyebrows, a prominent nose and pursed lips. The mummiform figure wears a tripartite wig and a braided beard.
The hands appear crossed over the chest and hold well delineated agricult...
Rare yellow-slipped patera with sculptural handle in the shape of a naked youth with arms upraised as if to support the shallow bowl upon his head.
The representation of the handle follows conventions prevailing since the Archaic Period.
‘Gilded’ pottery (ceramica dorata) is unusual in Apulia, but typically occurs in Canosa. Patera and oinochoe were there part of funeral sets to offer libations to the deceased.
For a set of patera and oinochoe in the Metropolitan Museum...
French bronze walking horse.
Age: France, Early 20th Century
Size: Height 32.6 C.M. / Width 11 C.M. / Length 29 C.M.
Condition: Nice condition overall. Please refer to the enlargement photos for more details.
Shipment: Worldwide shipping from Bangkok, Thailand at actual cost. Please e-mail us for the shipping fee.
Late Corinthian kylix decorated on both sides with geese flanked by griffin-birds. The geese turn their heads back. The griffins show crested heads, sickle-shaped wings and protruding tail feathers.
Black-glaze design on buff ground, incised details, red color on the wings and for some dots applied on the necks.
The kylix belongs to the Workshop of the Bird-Frieze Painter. The workshop began in 600-575 BC with quality-oriented pottery and shifted to coarser mass production around ...
Uncommon Etruscan belt buckle with hooks ending in a female head flanked by a couple of lion heads.
The lions bent forward with ears laid back and teeth bared. Both with lenticular eyes and engraved mane.
The woman looks in the opposite direction and shows a pointed face with almond-shaped eyes. The strands of her hair are curled up in front of her chest, much in accordance with archaic style.
Hooks and loops appear on narrow rectangular frames with emphasized corners. Belts...
Extremely rare head fragment from a wooden figure of about one meter in height.
The hollow-cheeked face tapers to a narrow jaw with angular chin. The small mouth with pursed lips curved into a strained smile. The straight nose with flared nostrils, the eyes heavy lidded.
The area under the corners of the eyes partially damaged by worms.
The tautness of the facial features suggests a strong, determined character. The man wears a Nubian cap. The gessoed surface is partially preserve...
Roman red-ware fragment of a lamp with a partially preserved horse on the discus.
The animal head with flared nostrils, open mouth and bare teeth. The big eye with eyelashes, the ears laid back. Mane and tail hatched.
Trappings around the neck and the croup decorated with tiny dots. On the croup a swastika with dots in the interstices, possibly a brand.
The checkerboard panels on the shoulder frame resemble Ennably A10, the targets with diamonds inside are close to Ennably ...
Choice red-ware rim fragment featuring a beautifully detailed lion. The feline approaches with a forward-turned front body.
The head with delicate detail and a shaggy mane. Shaggy strands on the elbow joint.
Excellent modeling of the musculature and great rendering of the panther-like fur pattern depicted with tiny circles.
For almost the same lion on an Orpheus bowl, cf. 1981.658 in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
For a discussion of the bowl, cf. pp. 230-231, pl. 32 in: Annewies van den ...
Amphora handle with the name of the annual official Pausanias written around the Rhodian rose emblem.
The stamped text reads: ΕΠΙ ΠΑΥΣΑΑΝΙΑ ΣΜΙΝΘΙΟΥ – in the term of Pausanias, in the month Sminthios (March-April).
Three eponyms with the name Pausanias are known from Rhodian amphoras. Our example refers to Pausanias 3, who held office around 152 BC.
Pausanias 3 is associated with the Rhodian fabricant Timo 2, whose workshop was active from 175-150 BC.
...
Mesopotamian incantation bowl with the meaningless repetition of the same letter. The text is grouped in adjacent areas and surrounds two demonic figures with differentiated sexual attributes.
The woman appears with long hair or a veil, the man is depicted with a short brush cut.
Arms and legs are hatched, the fingers indicated. The arms are bound together.
Between the figures a scorpion with segmented body and multiple legs. The grasping pincers are rendered as simple lines...
Mesopotamian incantation bowl with a nonsensical text consisting of repetitive scribbles.
Bowls with nonsensical non-writing or pseudo-script were not uncommon. The four lines of writing enclose two demonic figures. Possibly male and female.
The heads are rendered in profile with large eyes, the line applied between nose and chin may be a tongue sticking out.
Both demons appear with crossed arms and legs, suggesting that they are bound. The feet with indicated toes.
S...
The name Pakaru means "the Palestinian" so Pakaru was of foreign origin, he was also called Ahanéferamon, the fighter of Amen see Aubert.
In the spring of 1891 Mohammed Abd el-Rassul discovered what tomb is now known as Cache II. The same person discovered the so-called tomb Cache I (BD320)in 1882.
153 coffins of which 101 double coffins and 153 mummies of priests Amen, princesses and princes were found in the grave (Cache II).
In addition, countless grave goods we...
A rare and elaborate bronze battle axe, bronze age, Eurasian steppes 2nd. mill.BC.
A finely made bronzeage axe that combines Indo-European nomadic style with a Caspian Sea area touch.
A heavy axe with a large oval socket with 4 ridges and a broadening blade. Peculiar for this culture is the large pronounced ridge on top on the blade near the socket
Size: 13 cm. long.
Condition: Superb. Fine green-red patina with uncleaned sandy pockets.
Ex....
Late Period, 26th -30th dynasty
Inscription: "sHD Wsir Ipt-Hm(t)=s ms (n) Hwt-Hr-m-Axt mAa-xrw"
"Illuminating of Osiris, Ipethemetes, born of Hathoremakhet, justified".
Ipethemetes means 'Ipet is her majesty' or mistress or or 'The Ipet of her Majesty'
The hippopotamus goddess Ipet was worshipped as mother of Osiris at Thebes.
Ipet was one of several goddesses, including Taweret , Reret and Heqet who could take the form of a hippopotamu...
A wonderfully patinated chisel, large and near mint condition, Danish Neolithic period 3rd. millenium BC.
Though some chisels are made as late as Daggertime just before the bronzeage, this unpolished attractive chisel was likely made during the Singlegrave period, 2800-2400 BC.
Size: 168 mm. (16,8 cm.)
Condition: Vertially mint with a sharp bit / edge. Very nice brown-orange patina.
Ex. Private Collection.
*** This item comes with a standar...
A very nicely patinated smaller late type of dagger, Danish Neolithic period, Daggertime, ca. 2100-1800 BC.
A fine type with a distinct handle, dating to the end of the neolithic period in Scandinavia.
Size: ca. 14,3 cm.
Condition: Choice!. Wonderful light brown colour from a Marsch-find and some nice gloss from ancient use.
This item comes with a standard export license, when shipped outside Denmark. The license will be issued after sale - estimated d...
A large and massive thinbutted Danish neolithic offeraxe, dating to Time of the Great Burial Mounts, 4th. millenium BC.
An attractive and impressive polished axe. Well proportioned design with an exceptional colour.
The thinbutted axes were introduced along with the transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture. The axes were used to clear the woods and prepare the ground for crops. This particular axe though, would likely have been used for offerings, because of it'...
A nice large slender type of Danish battle axe in grey stone, from the late battleaxe period, Neolithicum, ca. 2400-2000 BC.
A finely made battle axe with great lines and curves. Very elegant axe, slender blade and very flat design (see the side-view).
Size: 18 cm. long.
Condition: Choice! Intact with some even corrosion of the surface.
Ex. Danish Collection, comes with COA.
This item comes with a standard export license, when shipped outsid...
A large and massive thinbutted Danish neolithic offeraxe, dating to Time of the Great Burial Mounts, c. 3500-3000 BC.
An unpolished axe, made with defined seams on the edges. Well proportioned design and attractive, very broad. In Greyish brown Danien flint.
The thinbutted axes were introduced along with the transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture. The axes were used to clear the woods and prepare the ground for crops. This particular axe though, would perhaps ...
A nice late type of dagger, Danish Neolithic period, Daggertime, ca. 2100-1800 BC.
A fine type with a distinct flat handle, dating to the end of the neolithic period in Scandinavia.
Size: ca. 17 cm.
Condition: Choice!. A few minimal ancient losses, othervise perfect, ancient greyish patina.
This item comes with a standard export license, when shipped outside Denmark. The license will be issued after sale - estimated delivery of the item with official l...
A nice lot of 4 small refined celts made from silex as imitations of bronze celts in the bronzeage period. The set dates to ca. 1400 BC or so and the type are rather scarce since they are made late up in the bronzeage!
Nicely patinated and polished pieces that is a must for collectors of Neolithic silex.
Size: 6,2-7,3 cm. - which also is around the size of the early socketed celts from bronzeage. Cute set!
This item comes with a standard export license, when s...
An amazing Roman bronze belt Buckle with unbroken enamel patina, 1st.-3rd. century AD.
A really attractive shiel-shaped buckle with floral decoration. The patina is fantastic and doesn't come any better. Possible a military related piece.
Size: 53 mm. long and 37 mm wide.
Condition: Superb!
Ex. German private collection from the 1960s to ca. 2000.
A lot of 4 attractive larger size Roman bronze military fibulas, 1st.-3rd. cent. AD.
The lot includes a very nice Roman bow fibula (53 mm. long), perfectly intact, good metal and ring attached to the pin; a Roundel fibula, (diameter 36 mm.) intact; a large bow fibula with intact pin (70 mm.!), small repair, and a Dolphin-shaped fibula, incl. pin (5,1 cm). repaired.
Nice green patinas.
Ex. German private collection from the 1960s to ca. 2000.
An attractive bronze figure of a Rooster on top of a seal ring, 10th.-12th. century AD.
Very attractive with fine redish and green patina.
Size: 7,1 cm. tall.
Ex. Collection of a Goldsmith in the Rhineland, ca. 1960s.
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.
...
An interesting selection of 13 mainly intact Roman bronze items, 1st.-3rd. century AD.
The collection consists of several medical tools and pins with knob finials, a scarce Roman Iron citizens ring (intaglio lost), a miniature amphora, a massive suspension ring with torquise patina, a very nice roundel fibula and a nice intact fibula, perhaps pre-roman.
Size: Up to 15,8 cm. in lenght, the roundel fibula measure 4 cm. in diameter.
Ex. German private collection f...
A choice and large tanged bronze lance, later 2nd. mill. BC. 'Luristan' Turkmenistan / Uzbekistan bronze age.
An advanced and impressive 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. 32 cm. long. - c. 13 inches.
Condition: Choice. Beautiful green bronze patina. Some roughness to the edge.
Ex. Danish Pr...
A nice pair of Danish Neolithic silex Daggers. The daggers date to early Daggertime - c. 2200-2000 BC.
Skillfully shaped, thin blades with 'seamed' edges.
An interesting pair of neolithic daggers.
Size: c. 12 & 13,5 cm - 5-5,5 inches.
Condition: Nice. Intact daggers with nice patinas and smaller losses.
Ex. Danish Private collection.
***This item comes with a standard export license, when shipped outside Denmark. The license w...
Ancient Greek. Campanian, c. 4th Century BC.
A highly attractive Campanian black-glazed dish with impressed floral design at the center.
The piece with a finely preserved glaze and slight iridescence.
Diameter: 14,5 cm.
Condition: Choice nearly superb but with a minimal chip to the underside of the rim, only visible from the back.
Ex German collection, aquired between 1972-1994.
An attractive preserved and conserved intact iron axe from the medieval times, ca. 12th.-14th. cent. AD.
An axe with a square blade with a double bart, dated on old label from the 12th. century, we think it could be a bit later than that but not later than 14th. century.
Thus a rare early German axe, difficult to find in intact buriel condition from this period!
Ex. Danish Collection