This type of bronze weapon is generally designated as a short sword. It has a substantial midrib with tapering edges. The edges are concave in the upper part and gracefully draw into spikes or wings that extend around either side of the tang. Weapons of this type are found in Northwestern Iran and most likely date to around the 9th century BC. “Weapons of this type [are] widely represented in the Ghaletenti I cemetery in Dailiman.” (“Arms and Armor from Iran” by Manouchehr M...

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...

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

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#727008

An Anatolian Marble stone Idol of a lovely 'female' form, Kusura-Beycesultan Type, Early Bronze Age II, Circa 2700-2300 B.C.

The particular shape of this fertility idol is also called a 'Violin-shape', carved as it is in a nice white marble.

Size: c. 5 cm. tall.

Condition: Near Extremely fine and perfect, with much adhired sandy pockets, that can be cleaned if so desired.

Old german collection of R. K., Nordrhein-Westfalen, before 1980.

CLAY FIGURE OF A STANDING ASTARTE “FERTILITY GODDESS”
Mesopotamia, Old Babylonian; 1800 BC

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...

Head of the Buddha shown with solemn expression. The refined facial features with arched eyebrows over heavy lidded eyes and a sensitively modeled mouth with purse lips. The half open eyes with their barely indicated irises confer the head a meditative gaze. The hair is delicately textured with a central bun (usnisha) on top. The idealized style is reminiscent of Greek Hellenistic sculpture which lived on among Gandharan artists. Stucco. Gandhara, 3rd/4th century AD. H. 7.7 cm (3 in), H...

This week I am posting several Bronze Age weapons from the Middle East including a set of 5, very unique, crescent-hilt daggers from the Marlik culture (circa 1000 BC). These all came from the same private collection. For a nearly identical example see "Arms and Armor from Iran" by Manoucher Khorasani p 50 figure 1 and page 53. This specimen appears to have been cleaned partially so I have included a 35X micrograph of an area of the surface showing crystallization common on ancient bronze...

This type of bronze weapon is generally designated as a short sword. It has a substantial midrib with tapering edges. The edges are concave in the upper part and gracefully draw into spikes or wings that extend around either side of the tang. Weapons of this type are found in Northwestern Iran and most likely date to around the 9th century BC. “Weapons of this type [are] widely represented in the Ghaletenti I cemetery in Dailiman.” (“Arms and Armor from Iran” by Manouchehr M...

A beautiful ceramic dish with caligraphy, Nishapur or Samarkand, Samenid Dynasty, Western Asia 9th.-10th. century AD.

Lovely quality for the type with artful black and red caligraphy on a cream-white ground.

Size: 29 cm. in diameter.

Condition: Extremely fine, superb for this rare type and large size. Restored from a very few larger fragments with a very large part of original crackled glaze...

POTTERY FIGURE OF ASTARTE "FERTILITY GODDESS"
ANCIENT PERSIA, LURESTAN REGION, C. 1200 – 700 BC

Measurements:
Height: 16 cm
Width: 9 cm
Height on stand: 18.5 cm
Nicely mounted on a plexi-glass custom made display stand

Condition: Good condition as shown

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A superb and exceptionally large pottery bowl with torquoise glaze, black markings and a finely decorated pattern on the interior. Seljug period, 11th.-12th. centuries, Near East.

The finest bowl we've seen of the type. With silvery iridescence on the surface of both the interior and the exterior. Very beautiful colours. The patina and fine glass like gloss is difficult to grasp in our pictures but is very visible in hand.

Size: 23,7 cm. in diameter and 11 cm...

A massive ceramic dish with caligraphy very rare for this exceptional size, Samenid Dynasty, 9th.-10th. century AD.

Nice quality for the type with fine black cufic caligraphy on a cream-white ground.

Size: 34 cm...

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 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...

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...

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...

Authentic ancient Luristan ancient Luristan Babylonian-type bronze sword made between 1200-1000 BC. It has a flanged hilt, and the blade is finely cast in one piece. This is an excellent example of an authentic ancient Luristan bronze dagger with an elegant form from the Bronze Age, dating back to 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. Back in the day when this sword was in use, the handle would ...

Here we have an incredible example of an ancient iron sword from Northern Iran, possibly Amlash, circa 900 BCE. It has a saddle-shaped pommel with extensive geometric decor on the hilt. The iron blade, though deteriorated, is still intact. The slender and elegant weapon has survived millennia just to be in your collection. There is a crack near the guard area visible in the photos. This fragile and beautiful piece measures 60.5 cm in length in its current condition. There are no visible repairs ...

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.

A substantial and attractive vessel in pinkish travertine with fine inclusions, Uruk/Jemdet Nasr - Early Dynastic, 3300-2700 BC.

The bulbous vessel with a finely polished exterior and with a broad flat rim.

The stone used is a rare pinkish travertine with fosil remains and lighter cream inclusions, large areas of dark deposts and patina.

Size: 11,5 x 9,5 cm. A substantial and heavy stone vessel for the period!

Condition: Good Very fine and intact with ...

A large and attractive stone jar, Mesopotamia, Sumer c. 2800-2400 BC.

With the finely concave walls, similar to a jar found in the Royal tombs of Queen Puabi, 2600-2450 BC and jars from Jiroft in this period, dates this jar to the Sumerian period.

The stone used is a rare and very lovely pink calcite, some of the colour probably patina. the stone is banded in clear bands and semi-transperant when lighted. With cream inclusions.

Size:13,8 cm. wide and 9,6 cm. tall, ...

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 important extra large bronze humped bull sculpture, Amlash circa 1000-800 B.C.

A very attractive bronze bull, standing on it's stout legs and with a oversize hump and pierced through the body. Highly unusual this detailed and in the impressive size!

Size: 84 mm. long and 63 mm. tall.

Condition: Superb for type, with very nice metal and great mottled green patina.

Ex Bavarian private collection, Germany between 1974-2015.

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....

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 thou...

Wonderful quality cast bronze whetstone handle. Luristan culture, 9th-7th century BC. A large handle measuring c. 12 cm. in length. A cast bronze implement handle with rounded socket to hold a whetstone for sharpening knifes and swords.

In the form of a three-dimensional crouching ibex with long horns curling over its back. The animal is fully rendered with limbs curled under its body and careful attention paid to the details of head and horns. Handle pierced for attachment of wh...

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. From an Oxfordshire Co...

An exceptionally larger and thus rare pottery bowl with torquoise glaze, and a finely decorated pattern in black on the interior. Seljug period, 11th.-12th. century.

With silvery iridescence on the surface of both the interior and the exterior. Very beautiful colours. The patina and fine glass-like gloss is difficult to grasp in our pictures but is very visible in hand.

Size: 21-22 cm. in diameter and 10,5 cm. tall.

Condition: Superb for type. Intact and unrest...

Dating: Mid-19th Century Provenance: Ottoman Empire, Turkey Circular, convex, iron shield provided with four studs with star-shaped base; the surface decorated with silver floral and geometrical motifs. At the inside four suspension rings, two of them with leather handle. Dimensions: Diameter 34.5 cm. No condition issues.

Funeral statuette composed of two separate parts: a head made of limestone, a formal robe made of chlorite adorned with a necklace and two tigers in relief on the sides. This type of statuette is commonly called "Bactrian princess" among specialists, and dates back from the mid third to the early second millenium BC. Such funeral objects seem to have played an important role in the funerals of elites of the Margiana and maybe the Bactrian courts as well. Height: 6.5 cm. Width: 4 cm. Depth: 3.4 ...

A massive and rare excarvated bronze vessel, likely for the storage of liquids, Byzantine, 6th.-9th. century AD.

Horisontically ribbed body and carinated vertically ribbed shoulder with funnel mouth.

Made in solid metal in a fine vase-like shape, with holes for attaching it to chains. A utility vessel, used for containing foods or liquids.

Size: 34-35 cm. wide and around 35,5 cm. tall, weight 4,2 kilograms - a HUGE piece for this early vessel!

Condit...

Ancient Scythians bronze fibula in the shape of a deer 6th-4th century BC

DETAILS: Openwork bronze depicting a seated deer with slender body, large head and antlers, and pronounced musculature; the legs folded beneath the body; the head regardant, resting on the hind quarters; the facial features stylised, with a large, round eye; the reverse with it’s the original clasp for attachment.

REFERENCES: 1) The Golden Deer of Eurasia Scythian and Sarmatian Treasures from th...

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...

Rhyton with a cylindrical shape progressively widening toward its top to give an overall conical aspect. The rython is decorated with two feminine deities figures in relief on both sides, wearing horns and having a posture similar to the one of Osiris statues. The body of the rhyton itself is decorated with superimposed geometric designs in slight relief. The piece is made of bronze, with an encrusted green patina. Mesopotamia, probably Bronze Age, ca. 3000 to 1500 B.C. Height: 11.5 cm. Strong s...

A lovely and very impressive pottery bowl with caligraphy, Islamic Samenid Dynasty, ca. 9th.-10th. century.

A conical bowl wide and tall and decorated with superb style caligraphy in black on white glaze.

Size: 28 cm. wide and 10 cm. tall.

Condition: Choice for this rare type and large size. Restored from only a few larger fragments repainted in the joint-areas, perhaps some strengthening, but much original crackled glaze. See the closeups for the condition of th...

A really nice and detailed core style cylinder seal, of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, 9th.-7th. cent BC.

The seal depicts the king in a running 'Persian' stance, spearing an Ibex with a short spear or arrow, while holding a sicle-sword in the other hand. A quiver on his back and the star symbol of the Sungod over the Three Of Life.

Size: 21 mm. tall and 8-9 mm. wide.

Condition: About Extremely fine.

Provenance: The Karl Müller collection, Germany 1950-197...