Terracotta figure of a lion resting with crossed forepaws.
The raised head is modeled in great detail, mane and paws show the skilful use of modeling tool.
Fully hand modeled terracotta, part of a larger group, possibly with an additional figure mounted on the animal’s back. The surface with remains of an applied white wash.
Terracotta
Eastern Mediterranean, 2nd/3rd century AD
L. 9.1 cm (3.6 in)
H...

The large seal of the hemispheric form and probably Parthian or early Sasanian, so like 0-500 AD, could be earlier though.

Done in a fantastic stone type - black with a spiders web of lighter colours. Attractive in hand. The shape of this stamp seal was probably invented by the Neo-Babylonians and continuued to be made in the near east until the end of the Sasanian period. The base is engraved with an unidentified cruciform symbol.

Size: c. 22 mm. wide...

Ancient North Mesopotamian or Anatolian stamp seal of the round type, 4th.- early 3rd. millenium type of the later Ubaid / Uruk period.

Very attractive large seal in smooth dark serpentine and carved with a stylized zoomorphic depiction.

Size: 30 mm...

Scarce Anatolian or Syrian square stone seal with tall handle and a depiction of a Griffin or Sphinx, Neo-Hittite states, Early 1st. millenium BC.

Finely carved seal with an elaborate handle and some great details.

Size: 16 mm. wide and 11-12 mm. tall

Condition: Extremely fine.

Comes with a hard wax impression.

Reff. See Ashmolean collection AN1913.58 for a similar style seal, attributed to Aleppo, Syria...

Ancient North Mesopotamian or Anatolian stamp seal of a oblong gable stype with rounded top, probably a late 4th.- early 3rd. millenium type of the Uruk period.

Very attractive large seal in smooth dark green chlorite and carved with a lovely style rampant Gazelle or Ibex with super long horns.

Size: 31 x 28 mm...

A huge and very impressive stamp seal of Northern Anatolia, Ubaid period, early 4th. mill. BC.

The base engraved with two horned animals with an arrow symbol behind the largest animal and a severed head between them, it's carved with a low rounded gable, drilled through.

Size: 54 mm. long and 42 mm...

A finely large engraved gable type seal in black serpentine, Anatolia, 4th. millenium BC.

Attractive seal, carved with Goats horns a bove symbols, could be pre-Hittite or Hattite period.

Size: 32 mm...

Interesting gable seal, probably North-Mesopotamian, 4th. millenium BC.

The seal engraved with a finely carved filled cross, elongated in form...

A fine large cylinder seal of the early Jemdet Nasr barrel shaped design, Mesopotamia, 3300-2900 BC. The seal is carved in a hard and dense material either a marple type or perhaps shell (?).

Seal very large for the period and craved with a fine grit-pattern and concenthric lines at each end. A string-carved round line at one side would have been made in antiquity.

Size: 31 mm...

A very attractive and scarce Tabloid seal, Northern Mesopotamia, c. later 4th. millenium BC.

The serpentine seal engraved with cruciform and stylized scorpio pattern. Fine thick drill.

Size: 20 x 17 mm.

Condition: Good VF Smooth wear and intact with nice earthern patination.

Comes with original Id card from 1991!

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

A larger hemispheric stone seal with a dome and elaborate line below the drilling on the top, Mesopotamian, Uruk period c. 4000-3000 BC.

The seal is carved with a later version of the archaic 'grit' pattern, where it looks like horisontical script-lines. Very nicely made in an attractive and very hard green-black stone.

Size: 28 mm. in diameter, 14-15 mm. tall.

Condition: Extremely fine, wonderful earthern patina.

Comes with imprint and original Id ...

A larger serpentine stone stamp seal of the gable type, Ubaid period of Anatolia and Syria, c. 4th. millenium BC.

Recent research clearly indicates that highly advanced city cultures allready existed in the Ubaid period of Anatolia and Syria in the early 4th. millenium BC and perhaps even before that. This predates the Mesopotamian Uruk period, so it's a question who inspired who?.

Nice seal in hand engraved with a horned animal.

Size: 35 mm. long and 23 mm. wide...

Impressive red stone Jasper Gable seal, Greater Mesopotamia,, probably a Levantine workshop, 4th. millenium BC.

A nice depiction of either a hering pattern or a stylized scorpio?

Size: 33 mm. long.

Condition: Near Very Fine, some minor losses to edges.

Comes with original Id card.

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

A large and fine archaic style serpentine stone stamp seal of the gable type, Ubaid period of Anatolia and Syria, c. 4th. millenium BC.

Recent research clearly indicates that highly advanced city cultures allready existed in the Ubaid period of Anatolia and Syria in the early 4th. millenium BC and perhaps even before that. This predates the Mesopotamian Uruk period, so it's a question who inspired who?.

Lovely scarce seal, sharply engraved with a stylized scorpion.

Interesting conoid shaped stamp seal in black stone, probably serpentine, engraved on the base with a deer with large antlers and on the upperside with unidentified engravings. Greater Mesopotamia area and porabably from the Ubaid/Urum period 4th.-3rd. millenium BC.

Super nice stylized engraving of the deer! There's certainly some engravings on the upperside as well but uncleaned and unresearched.

Size: 255 mm. in diameter and c. 18 mm. tall.

Condition: Good Ve...

A large and rare stone stamp seal, carved in black basalt with high knobbed handle, Neo-Hittite period, made in the Anatolia/ Levante, late 2nd. millenium BC.

Triangular seal plate, engraved with a larger bull in lovely archaic style and a smaller animal above and crescent below. Finely made knob handle with piercing.

Diameter 25 x 24 mm. height 17 mm.

Condition: Extremely fine for type, only light smooth wear and patina.

Ref. see the Ashmolean collect...

Large stamp seal in a fine greyish green stone, probably Chlorite, Anatolia / Northern Syria Ubaid period, c. 4th. millenium BC.

The base of the seal is engraved with a fine symethric arrangement, probably showing antlers or something floral. A nice Gable seal type with perfect symethri and sharp lines.

Size: 42 mm. long and 24-25 mm. wide. Unusually large and thus attractive

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

This...

Interesting huge seal from the Oberländer collection. It was described as unidentified and probably ceramic, but to us it looks like Limestone, but we're not certain. At first glance it looks like a Pre-Columbian seal, but details doesn't compute and there were no Pre-Columbian seals in the collection, so it could be from Mesopotamia / Western Asia, we're not certain.

It's sold as guaranteed ancient and 800+ years old.

Size: 35 mm tall and 36 mm. thick!

Conditi...

A slim early cylinder seal in fine-corned white marple, carved with a characteristic and significant design for the Period of Jemdet Nasr in Mesopotamia.

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, the...

A fine and rare late Pre-Dynastic / Late Jemdet Nasr period, Mesopotamian Cylinder seal of translucent Alabaster, early 3rd. millenium BC.

The seal carved highly concave with a fine rendering of centipedes.

Size: 16-17 mm. tall and c. 14 mm. thick.

Condition: Extremely fine, intact

OBS! Comes with the original ID card from below collection.

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

A thick early cylinder seal in white-yellow 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, t...

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...

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.

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

Size: 23 mm. long.

Ex. Old German 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).

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 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...

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

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 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 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 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 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

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 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.

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 ...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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...

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. wide.

Condition: Choice for type, with a few smaller losses to applikations in antiquity, no modern repairs and with nice patin...

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 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...

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.

MEASUREMENTS:

Overall len...

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. The elliptical pommel extends to the bronze bolsters in the form of animal heads, adding character and charm to the sw...

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. Originally, the handle would have ...

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. The penannular guard is elliptical in shape and holds a double-edged tapering blade with a...

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. in diameter.

Condition: Very Fine and intact, smooth wear and fine patina.

Comes with the original ID-card from below collection!

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

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. long and 26 mm wide.

Condition: Very fine, extensive smooth wear but intact.

Comes with the original ID-card from below collection.

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

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.

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

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. Joined by several labels from PB 84 (Parke...

One more of the fine large stamp seals from the Oberländer collection. A rare rendering in fine style, Parthia or early Sasanian, 1st.-4th. century AD.

The seal is carved in a beautiful milky-white and agate. The carving shows a seated female, perhaps a woirshipper in fancy cloths.

Size c. 27-28 mm. wide and 22-23 mm. tall.



Condition: Nice Very Fine for type, intact with some wear around the base and drill.

Provenance: Gustav Oberländer (19...

Seal pendant or amulet, finely carved in a zoomorphic style, as a head of an animal, possibly made to ellude a pigs head, Mesopotamia, Uruk - Jemdet Nasr period, 3500-2900 BC.

A wonderful amulet with refined polished details and a nice archaic grit pattern in the base.

Size: 21-22 mm.

Condition: Extremely fine, highly attractive. Nice patina with deposits.

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

A large and rare stamp seal made in a superbly mottled black and white diorite stone, South Mesopotamia, Late Uruk / Jemdet Nasr period, 3300-2900 BC.

Domed hemispheric seal with a fine free carving in a drill style of multiple running animals.

Size: 35-36 mm. in diameter, quite large for this fine diorite seal.

Condition: Good Very fine, one ancient chips to the side and fine wear, but basically intact and highly attractive.

Provenance: Gustav Oberlä...