Ancient Near Eastern "MESOPOTAMIAN" stone amulet of a fish with nice incised details, dating to around 2000 BC

Measurements: Length: 3.5 cm - Height: 1 cm

condition: Intact as found

For thousands of years, since before recorded history, man has worn amulets and talismans for luck and protection. The stones, feathers, teeth and claws that adorned early cultures eventually gave way to an array of amulets whose powers were as varied as their forms...

An important pottery bowl with motif, Near East area, ca. 12th.-13th. century AD.

Absolutely stunning conically shaped pottery bowl with a red and blue decoration on a cream-white ground: A fine lady standing amidst flowers, holding a purse (?). Beautiful archaic style, from prior to the Ban of figural representation in the art of Islam.

Size: ca. 24,5 cm. wide and ca. 9 cm. high.

Condition: Very fine...

CLAY FIGURE OF A STANDING ASTARTE “FERTILITY GODDESS”
MESOPOTAMIA, OLD BABYLONIAN, 1800 B.C.

Dimensions:
Height: 12.5 cm
Width: 3.5 cm
Height on stand: 14.5 cm

Ishtar (Akkadian), Astarte (Phoenician), or Inanna (Sumerian) was the most important female deity in Mesopotamia through the second millennium BC. She was identified with the planet Venus, and the sunrise. She was the goddess of both sexual love and warfare...

Hand modeled biconical vase with cream ground and red to dark brown decoration.
The body with groups of chevrons starting from a star-shaped pattern on the bottom. The narrow neck with a band of converging zig-zag patterns.
The globular body elongates laterally into pointed knob handles. Standing on a gently rounded base, vase slightly askew in appearance.
Shape and decoration are consistent with painted Hacilar I pottery ware.
For the shape, cf. fig. 140,7, pp...

A beautifully carved sculpture of a lady in an erotic pose, Gandharan, ca. 1st.-5th. century AD.

Clearly inspired by classical greek and roman art. She is holding her longs strands of hair and wearing garments that exposes her naked shoulder and arm. Archictorial piece, impresive size. Some remnants of pinkish pigments still on the surface. Mounted to a metal base.

Size: ca. 32-33 cm. tall and 20,5 cm. wide.

Ex. Pax Romana Gallery, London...

A very attractive pottery bowl, in a 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 white glaze.

Size: 26 cm. wide and 9 cm. tall.

Condition: Extremely fine for type. Original crackled glaze with much patina. See the closeups for the condition of the glaze...

A lot of three fine and rare pottery seals, Ancient Near East, likely Egypt, Early Islamic period 7th.-10th...

An intact and attractive pottery bowl,9th.-10th. century AD.

The bowl decorated with in black pseudo-caligraphy in crossform on a beige ground.

Size: 21,5 cm. wide and 6,5 cm. tall.

Condition: Choice, with much original glaze, lightly restored, but difficult to spot.

Provenance: Important Danish-French Private collection, (aquired 1970- c. 2007) of Islamic pottery ware from the 9th.-12th. century. Comes with COA.

Interesting and rare Neo-Assyrian or Neo-babylonian double stamp seal of blue glass, early 1st. mill. BC. Size: 15 x 13 mm.

Condition: Near very fine, intact with some wear to the edges and irridescence.

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, bought at reputable dealers and from old col...

A high quality earthenware bowl with incised decoration in green and painted in green and manganese on the exterior (Bamiyan type), afghanistan, c. 12th. century (Pre 1221 A.D.).

With carinated walls, and a beautiful Islamic symethric pattern in high relief in the interior. As typical for the most boldest specimens, the green and manganese colours are sort of splashed on the exterior side.

Size: 16 cm. in diameter, 8,5 cm. high.

Condition: Choice with completely ...

A superb quality Islamic bowl, Islamic, 12th century A.D. (494 AH – 597 AH). Ancient near East / Western Asia.

Turquoise glazed, pottery bowl with flaring body rising from a short foot. The sides and center decorated with a floral patterns or perhaps stylized birds(?) and a star-shaped or radiated element.

Condition: Superb. Remnants of light silver iridescence patina that is difficult to picture.

Size: 9,5 cm. wide and approx 4,3 cm. high.

Ex. Danis...

Ancient Sumerian green glazed-faience cylinder seal Jemdet Nasr Uruk period (3200-2900 BC) Early Dynastic Period.
CONDITION: in superb condition.
MEASUREMENTS: Diameter 24 mm x 12 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 ...

Egypt, Coptic culture, later 1st. millenioum BC

A delightful female idol carved from bone. The face is dominated by huge, round eyes and a small nose and mouth. Incised lines form bands around the head, neck, and waist, female genitals outlined.

Size: 5,2 cm.

Ex. Dr. Beck Collection, Bonn. In Germany since 1980s.

A large terracotta idol figurine of astarte, Syro-Hittite, dating to the mid-later period of the 3rd. millenium BC.

The pillar figure of Astarte with large round eyes and a bird-like presence. Angular shoulders and a monolithic body with her hands and delineated fingers placed over her breasts.

Size: 16 cm.

Condition: Very fine for type, the details still present with no losses, a repaired hairline through the neck, minor chips and losses

Ex. Dutch pri...

Early Bronze Age jug of piriform body, narrow neck and beaked spout. The handle is parted at the join to the belly and decorated with diagonal fluting – to render a twisted feature.
With a Thermoluminescent Report from Oxford University dated December 1976.
Ceramic
Anatolian, Yortan Culture, 2700-2500 BC
H. 16 cm (6.3 in)
Small section of the spout’s upper edge restored. Otherwise intact and of choice condition. Root marks and soil deposits.
Ex Swiss...

CLAY FIGURE OF A WORSHIPPER
Mesopotamia; Babylonian, Circa, 1800 B.C.

Clay figure of a standing worshipper wearing a crown-like and a tunic

Measurements:
Height: 12 cm
Width: 3.5 cm
Height on stand: 15 cm

The figure if nicely mounted on a plexi-glass display stand of high quality

ALL ITEMS THAT WE OFFER FOR SALE COME WITH A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY
#727008

This is a beautiful bronze sword from ancient Persia (circa 1300 BC). It has a somewhat unique design in the form of a "tiered" blade. There are three separate tiers on the blade. One is an oval shape near the tang, one area is between the oval area and the tip and the third tier is the tip itself. It is a curious design we have not seen previously and would look great in your collection. The end of the tang appears to have been broken at a perforation but the piece is in otherwise excellent con...

Luristan Master of Animals Idol Sceptre Standard Finial

A really nice upper part of a bronze standard depicting the Master of Animals on both sides. This piece comes with an antique custom made box which can also be used as a stand. An old tag with the collection number 345 is attached to the final.

The Master of Animals was a supernatural being, highly respected as a protector of game,
the ruler of the forest, and the guardian of the animal kingdom. We see a human figure
...

This is a wonderful but plain little copper alloy or bronze axe head from the ancient middle East. Types like this are often associated with either the Amlash or Luristan cultures. This piece has three raised ridges on the socket. It is intact, solid and stable with no repair or restoration. It weighs 230 grams and measures 12.5 cm across. This is a fine example of ancient craftsmanship at a very low price. Don't miss it!!!!

A finely made bronze Phalera or medallion, Roman, 1st.-3rd. century AD.

The medallion depicts the head of a bridled horse and was likely military related as something you would wear in the legions.

Size: 47 mm. wide.

Condition: Choice and intact with a fine mottled light green patina.

Ex. Old private collection, 1974-2015

Bust of a camel with protruding snout, slit mouth, pierced nostrils and applied eyes. On top of the head the typical cap of hair. Wide neck and chest area, the back side with a central rib.
Terracotta
Near Eastern, 1st millennium BC
H. 9.7 cm (3.8 in)
H. with stand 13.7 cm (5.4 in)
Fragmentary, rare and fine. Lime deposits and root marks. Old wood block mount.
Ex New York collection, acquired 1970s-1980s.

The authenticity of the object is u...

Hand modeled biconical vase with carefully burnished cream ground.
Decorated in red with loop groups around the body and horizontal bands on the wide cylindrical neck.
The bag shaped body elongates laterally into pointed knob handles. Standing on a flat base.
Shape and decoration are consistent with painted Hacilar I pottery ware. For the shape, cf. fig. 140,7, pp. 412-413 in: J. Mellaart. Excavations at Hacilar. Vol. 1. Edinburgh 1970. For the discussion of Hacilar I pott...

A very attractive early powder flask, Greater Persia, shaped as the first stomach of the Camel with fine engravings, c. later 18th. century AD.

Size: 23 cm.

Condition: Intact, fine quality with preserved pattern and deep patina.

Ex. Old Danish Private Collection and the flask comes with an identity card from the collection, added in 1992.

Rare centaur-like creature with a male torso merged to an equid body.
The bearded man is holding a pile of dishes with his right hand and a phial (?) with the left.
His head was taken from a mold and shows good detail to the beard and face. The soft cap folded to the side.
The equid body standing four-square.
The horseman is related to the so called ‘Persian Rider’ type characteristic of the Achaemenid Period in Syria (Northern Levant).
The Persian Achaem...

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. wide.

Condition: Choice for type, almost completely intact minor loss to nose, no modern repairs and with nice patina.

E...

ANCIENT CLAY PLAQUE
MESOPOTAMIA, OLD BABYLONIAN PERIOD, 2040 - 1750 BC

This baked clay plaque with relief decoration representing a seated ruler on his throne infront of a large palm branch

Baked clay plaques were mass-produced in southern Mesopotamia from the second millennium BC. They show informal scenes and reflect the private face of life. Though their exact purpose is not clear, they may have had magical or religious significance

Measurements:
Heigh: 10.5 c...

A superb quality Islamic bowl, Islamic, 12th century A.D. (494 AH – 597 AH).

Pearly white glaze with Sgraffito decoration (relief), pottery bowl with flaring body rising from a short foot. The sides decorated with a beautiful Sgraffito pattern of ovals and center and rim decorated with splashes of brown.

Condition: Superb, fine patina.

Size: 9,4 cm. wide and approx 4,8 cm. high.

Ex. Danish Private Collection, from the London Antiquities market of th...

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...

This is a fantastic find. It is an early Persian anchor-shaped axe dating to roughly 2200-2000 BC. This piece is stable and solid with only a few losses to the shaft/guard area. This piece weighs 466 grams and measures 12 cm from top to bottom. It is roughly 3 cm thick at the shaft holes. A similar piece in the Axel Guttmann collection sold at auction for over $3000 several years ago. Additional photos available on request. Authenticity is guaranteed.

A nicely decorated Indus Valley pottery vase, dating to c. 3rd mill. BC. Probably Mehrgarh-civilisation.

The beautiful vase-form decorated with fish swimming and geomethric decoration.

Size: ca 15 cm. tall and 8-9 cm. wide - a substantial piece from Indus Valley

Condition: Choice for age and type. Intact with a few smaller chips to the rim.

Ex. Danish Private collection.

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).

Am interesting ready made collection of 18 pottery oil lamps around c. 4th - 7th century AD.

Collection of Late Antiquity clay lamps. Eastern Mediterranean and biblical! Among them a scarce and beautiful frog lamp (length 8,7cm). 19 pieces!

Condition: F-VF, Weathered and with some smaller missing fragments, overall well preserved.

Ex. 1970-1980s collection.

An nice earthenware bowl with incised decoration in a white slip and painted in green and manganese in a yellowish glaze (Bamiyan type), afghanistan, 12th. century (Pre 1221 A.D.).

With carinated walls, pseudo-caligraphy and symethric decorations in high relief. As typical for the most boldest specimens, the green colours are sort of splashed on.

Size: 17 cm. in diameter, 8 cm. high.

Condition: Choice with fine glaze, hairline crack repaired and loss to some glaz...

A superb quality Islamic bowl, Islamic, 12th century A.D. (494 AH – 597 AH). Ancient near East / Western Asia.

Cream, blue and black glazed pottery dish on a short foot. The center decorated with faint floral patterns in relief in the manor of the Seljuqs.

Condition: Very fine, completely original surfaces, a hairline crack restored. Exceptional silverish iridescence patina that is difficult to picture.

Size: ca. 15 cm. wide (diameter)

Ex. Danish Pri...

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

A rare bowl decorated with wonderful caligraphy in lighter colour on dark green-brown glaze!

Size: 23 cm. wide and 8 cm. tall.

Condition: Extremely fine for the type. Some very professional restoration to the bottom area. Original crackled glaze and caligraphy. See the closeups for the condition of the glaze.

Provenance:...

An interesting very large Grey-Ware vessel, with three handles, Amlash, ca. 1100-900 AD.

The vessel from the ancient makers of the famous spouted jars in the region (city) of Amlash.

Finely sculptured vessel with three large handles and a full body and narrow base. With small Spout.

Size: 27,5 cm. high and 25 cm. wide.

Condition: Choice! A possible retoring of a small chip to the outer rim, other than that the vessel looks unrestored, very nice condition f...