PREHISTORIC, CELTIC, NEAR EASTERN AND EGYPTIAN ART

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B2841. A RARE NEOLITHIC POTTERY ANIMAL. Eastern European, ca. 10,000-6,000 BC. The gray pottery body of an uncertain animal perhaps a bull thick, muscular body with incised detail on sides and back of neck. 1.75 x 2.25 inches. The head and front of body broken away. Very rare. Free standing. If complete would be a very exceptional piece of early human art.



B2842. A RARE NEOLITHIC ANIMAL HEAD. Eastern European, ca. 10,000-6,000 BC. The gray pottery head of an uncertain animal with broad neck and pointed ears, small hole deliberately made between the ears. 1.3 inches. Chips to back of neck. Very rare.



B2843. A RARE NEOLITHIC ANIMAL HEAD. Eastern European, ca. 10,000-6,000 BC. The nicely modeled gray pottery head of an uncertain animal with long neck and alert ears, the eyes incised. 1.6 inches. Very rare. Free standing.



B2844. A RARE NEOLITHIC HUMANOID BUST. Eastern European, ca. 10,000-6,000 BC. The modeled buff pottery figure with beaked nose and high domed cranium. 1.2 inches. Very rare early human representation.



B2845. A RARE NEOLITHIC ANIMAL. Eastern European, ca. 10,000-6,000 BC. The modeled buff pottery figure of an uncertain animal, perhaps a sheep or dog with tail, four stubby legs and head. 1.5 inches. Very rare. Free standing.



B2846. A RARE NEOLITHIC FELINE. Eastern European, ca. 10,000-6,000 BC. The skillfully modeled red pottery head and neck of a cat with rounded ears and blunt feline nose, the neck clearly defined. 1.25 inches. Very rare. Free standing.



B2847. A RARE NEOLITHIC FELINE. Eastern European, ca. 10,000-6,000 BC. The skillfully modeled red pottery head and neck of a cat with alert ears and pointed nose, the head turned slightly to the left on the clearly defined neck. 1.3 inches. Very rare. Free standing.



B2848. A RARE NEOLITHIC BIRD. Eastern European, ca. 10,000-6,000 BC. The skillfully modeled red pottery bird seated with clearly defined neck and beak, the feet indicated by twin protrusions. 1.25 inches. Very rare. Free standing.



B2849. A RARE NEOLITHIC DEER'S HEAD. Eastern European, ca. 10,000-6,000 BC. The nicely modeled terracotta head with long neck and alert ears, the eyes incised. 2.25 inches. Very rare.



B2850. AN EXTREMELY RARE EARLY VOTIVE TERRACOTTA BRICK. European, prob. Megalithic Period, ca. 3000 BC. The heavy solid brick with curled over top, on the front face long spirals emanating from a swastica with other magical signs incised, up the curled sides a row of 'w' signs between dotted borders, additional spiral motifs between incised lines along the top. 2.25 x 5 x 5.6 inches. The missing right side probably symmetrical. Clearly of sacred nature, possibly an altar or architectural element. An extremely rare and possible very important artifact of early European man and certainly deserving of further study.



B2851. A RARE EARLY EUROPEAN TRIPLE SPOUTED VESSEL. Hungary? ca. 1st millennium BC. The burnished brownware pot of heavy fabric with three finely symmetric spouts with everted rim, a base of similar form, the sides decorated with chevron and pricked dot designs. 4.5 inches. I've seen the type referenced but couldn't find in time to properly catalog. Any further attribution appreciated. Very rare & an exceptionally nice example.



B2852. A CHOICE CELTIC STONE HEAD AMULET, ca. 4th-1st century BC. The fine grained limestone or marble head of ovoid form with superb classic Celtic features. 1.4 inches. Original drilled suspension hole through 'neck'. Likely worn as a trophy head amulet. Museum quality artifact of the finest Celtic art.



B2853. A CELTIC BRONZE BUST, ca. 3rd-1st century BC. The Celtic style head with nice detail, wearing a torque and tunic, the back flat. 0.9 inches. Great example.



B2854. A CELTIC CHARIOT HANDLE, ca. 3rd century BC/AD. The heavy knobbed handle with hole at base for attachment nail. 3.3 inches. Choice intact condition.



B2855. A CHOICE OLD KINGDOM DIORITE JAR, 2780-2060 BC. The elegant biconical vessel of speckled black and white stone with twin pierced lug handles, the surface finely turned and polished. 3.5 x 4 inches. Choice example and condition.



B2856. A FINE EGYPTIAN FALSE CANOPIC JAR, ca. 1st millennium BC. The heavy solid limestone 'jar' with the finely carved jackal head of the God Duatmutef, and a grooved delineation meant to indicate a lid. 4.25 x 8.5 inches. 7 lbs. Rare.



B2857. A FINE EGYPTIAN BRONZE KHNUM. Late Period, ca. 1000-330 BC. The heavy solid cast ram-headed god reclining with horns curled forward along its cheeks wearing his tall hemhemet crown with uraeus cobras and horns, heavy mounting tenon below. 2.5 x 3 inches. Needs a good stand. Excellent example with choice reddish patina. Very rare.



B2858. AN IMPORTANT FAIENCE OFFERING CUP OF RAMESES II, 1279-1213 BC. The small blue faience cup with areas of light sandy patina, the front with the sharp cartouche of Rameses II in black. 1.7 x 1.8 inches. Choice intact condition. Excessively rare and important artifact of perhaps the most famous and powerful of the Pharaohs, the Pharaoh of the exodus who interacted with Moses.



B2859. A CHOICE FAIENCE SEKMET (old label says Bast). Third Intermediate Period, 1069-702 BC. The lion headed goddess standing erect and holding her papyrus scepter with left hand. 1.8 x 2.1 inches. Wonderful style and detail. Ex. Blanchard collection, thence auctioned by Sotheby's still with old Sotheby's tag on the bottom. On custom mount, old museum number in red on the reverse. An exceptionally fine piece with excellent provenance.



B2860. A FINE EGYPTIAN BRONZE KHNUM FINIAL. Late Period, ca. 1000-330 BC. The heavy solid cast ram-headed god with horns curled forward along its cheeks wearing his tall hemhemet crown with uraeus cobras and horns, socketed mortise of triangular section for handle below. 2.25 x 3.3 inches. Excellent example with choice reddish patina. Very rare. On custom stand.



B2861. A FINE EGYPTIAN BRONZE HANDLE. Late Period, ca. 1000-300 BC. Originally the handle of a bronze sistrum or mirror. Both sides of similar design with the torso or the Goddess Hathor flanked by two uraeus cobras and wearing an ornate headdress on which sits a charming little cat. 6.8". A very unusual and appealing example. Repair to base. Mounted on heavy black marble block. Old museum numbers in white and black ink.



B2862. AN EGYPTIAN FAIENCE U'SHABTI, 26th Dynasty, 664-525 BC. The protective figure of pale green to sand color with traces of black painted hieroglyphics from the Book of The Dead. ~3.75". Chip to side of head.



B2863. AN EGYPTIAN FAIENCE U'SHABTI, 26th Dynasty, 664-525 BC. The protective figure of pale green to sand color with traces of black painted hieroglyphics from the Book of The Dead. ~3.75". Feet reattached.



B2864. AN EGYPTIAN FAIENCE U'SHABTI, 26th Dynasty, 664-525 BC. The protective figure of pale green to sand color with traces of black painted hieroglyphics from the Book of The Dead. ~3.75".



B2865. AN EGYPTIAN FAIENCE U'SHABTI, 26th Dynasty, 664-525 BC. The protective figure of pale green to sand color with traces of black painted hieroglyphics from the Book of The Dead. ~3.75".



B2866. AN EGYPTIAN FAIENCE U'SHABTI, 26th Dynasty, 664-525 BC. The protective figure of pale green to sand color with traces of black painted hieroglyphics from the Book of The Dead. ~3.75".



B2867. AN EGYPTIAN FAIENCE U'SHABTI, 26th Dynasty, 664-525 BC. The protective figure of pale green to sand color with traces of black painted hieroglyphics from the Book of The Dead. ~3.75".



B2868. AN EGYPTIAN FAIENCE U'SHABTI, 26th Dynasty, 664-525 BC. The protective figure of pale green to sand color with traces of black painted hieroglyphics from the Book of The Dead. ~3.75".



B2869. AN EGYPTIAN FAIENCE U'SHABTI, 26th Dynasty, 664-525 BC. The protective figure of pale green to sand color with traces of black painted hieroglyphics from the Book of The Dead. ~3.75".



B2870. AN EGYPTIAN FAIENCE U'SHABTI, 26th Dynasty, 664-525 BC. The protective figure of pale green to sand color with traces of black painted hieroglyphics from the Book of The Dead. ~3.75".



B2871. AN EGYPTIAN FAIENCE U'SHABTI, 26th Dynasty, 664-525 BC. The protective figure of pale green to sand color with traces of black painted hieroglyphics from the Book of The Dead. ~3.75".



B2872. AN EGYPTIAN FAIENCE U'SHABTI, 26th Dynasty, 664-525 BC. The protective figure of pale green to sand color with traces of black painted hieroglyphics from the Book of The Dead. ~3.75".



B2873. A TEL HALAF TERRACOTTA IDOL. Mesopotamia, ca. 5000 BC. The seated figure with hands on knees. A very early representation of the human figure. 2.75 inches. Usual professional repair. On custom stand.



B2874. A RARE SUMERIAN MARBLE STAMP SEAL IN THE FORM OF A LEOPARD, ca. 3rd millennium BC. The leopard still with worn pattern of oval spots covering the body, the seal with a pattern of lines and dots. 33 x 38 mm. Very rare.



B2875. A RARE SUMERIAN MARBLE ANIMAL, ca. 3rd millennium BC. The animal, perhaps a sheep with some erosion and reaggregated cracks, a patina of lime deposits over some areas. 2.5 x 3.25 inches. Very rare.



B2876. A CHOICE SUMERIAN BULL AMULET, ca. 3rd millennium BC. The brown stone amulet finely carved in the form of a reclining bull, the head facing. 2 inches. On custom stand. Very rare.



B2877. A RARE SUMERIAN BULL AMULET, ca. 3rd millennium BC. The amulet of gray stone, carved in the form of a reclining bull, the head facing. 19 x 30 mm. Small chip to top rv. Very rare.



B2878. AN IMPORTANT MESOPOTAMIAN BRONZE FIGURE OF A MYTHIC HERO, ca. 2nd millenium BC. The cast bronze figure of a hero (Gilgamesh?) holding apart an arch (the sky?) terminating in three animal heads. 1.7 x 2.25 inches. Choice condition. Very rare and deserving of further study.



B2879. A FINE MESOPOTAMIAN BRONZE BEAKER, ca. 2nd millennium BC. The beaker with wide pinched base and tall curved neck with slightly everted rim, a wonderful solid cast facing head applicae of a Mesopotamian diety or hero on the side. 3.75 x 4 inches. Choice example and condition with a fine chestnut and green patina partly under a thin layer of ancient encrusted soil. On custom metal stand. Very rare.



B2880. A RARE MESOPOTAMIAN BRONZE ALTAR, ca. 2nd millennium BC. The altar with ornamental openwork stand supporting and integral offering tray with two projecting side loops. 3.5 x 3.5 x 6 inches. Very nice condition with ancient encrustation. Extremely rare, the only one I've carried.



B2881. A VERY LARGE MESOPOTAMIAN STAMP SEAL, ca. 2nd millennium BC. The dark gray stone seal with a deeply engraved zig zag design. 52 x 66 mm. Original drilled suspension hole. Chips to two corners and scrape but still a very rare and fine example. One of the largest I've seen.



B2882. A LARGE AND FINE ACHAEMENID PERSIAN STAMP SEAL, ca. late 1st millennium BC. The red stone seal with a finely carved Greek-style scene of a galloping biga, the driver with a goad, an uncertain figure (Nike?) above the horses. 22 x 32 mm. Original drilled suspension hole. Choice example.



B2883. A LARGE AND FINE MESOPOTAMIAN STAMP SEAL, ca. 2nd millennium BC. The gray green stone seal with a figures of two horned animals and a bird. 45 mm. Original drilled suspension hole. Choice example.



B2884. A LARGE AND FINE ACHAEMENID PERSIAN STAMP SEAL, ca. 600-400 BC. The black stone seal with a large figure of a crouching lion, the top with a cross pattern. 22 x 36 x 38 mm. Original drilled suspension hole. Choice large and finely styled example.



B2885. A LARGE AND FINE ACHAEMENID PERSIAN STAMP SEAL, ca. 600-400 BC. The black stone seal with a large figure of a horse standing among grass, the top with a pattern of hatches radiating from the centrer. 20 x 30 x 42 mm. Original drilled suspension hole. Choice large and finely styled example.



B2886. A LARGE MESOPOTAMIAN STAMP SEAL, ca. 2nd millennium BC. The black stone seal with a large stylized figure of a horned animal and other hatches within an oval border. 43 mm. Original drilled suspension hole. Chip to one corner but still a fine example.



B2887. A LARGE MESOPOTAMIAN STAMP SEAL, ca. 2nd millennium BC. The black stone seal with several uncertain figures within a wreath. 39 mm. Original drilled suspension hole. Choice example.



B2888. A FINE MESOPOTAMIAN STAMP SEAL, ca. 2nd millennium BC. The gray stone seal with three adult and three baby animals. 26 mm. Original drilled suspension hole. Choice sharp example.



B2889. A FINE MESOPOTAMIAN STAMP SEAL, ca. 2nd millennium BC. The gray stone seal with two stylized animals. 27 mm. Original drilled suspension hole. Choice example.



B2890. A LARGE MESOPOTAMIAN STAMP SEAL, ca. 2nd millennium BC. The gray stone seal with engraved checkerboard design. 28 x 40 mm. Original drilled suspension hole. Choice example.



B2891. A FINE AND LARGE MESOPOTAMIAN STAMP SEAL, ca. 2nd millennium BC. The dark gray stone seal possibly in the form of a duck with reverted head, the bottom with geometric hatch marks. 33 x 55 mm. Original drilled suspension hole. Choice example.



B2892. A FINE MESOPOTAMIAN STAMP SEAL, ca. 2nd millennium BC. The cream and brown stone seal with a Sphinx like creature below the crescent moon. 16 x 18mm. Choice engraving.



B2893. AN OLD BABYLONIAN STAMP SEAL, ca. 1850-1700 BC. The white stone seal with a standing king before an altar. 25mm. Original drilled suspension hole. Choice condition.



B2894. A RARE MESOPOTAMIAN BRONZE CYLINDER SEAL, ca. 2nd millennium BC. The bronze seal with a finely carved scene of an archer in a chariot between borders of stars. 35 mm. Small hole, otherwise excellent and very rare.



B2895. A LARGE AND FINE MESOPOTAMIAN CYLINDER SEAL, ca. 2nd millennium BC. The black stone seal with a finely carved scene of a bearded archer aiming his bow at a doe, crescent and star above. 40 mm. Choice example and condition.



B2896. A CHOICE MESOPOTAMIAN CYLINDER SEAL, ca. 2nd millennium BC. The dark brown stone seal with a finely carved scene of a two male figures standing, one looking back at the other, two winged animals before. 22 mm. Choice example of the finest style and condition.



B2897. A FINE MESOPOTAMIAN CYLINDER SEAL, ca. 2nd millennium BC. The gray stone seal with a finely carved scene of a male figure standing within a radiate enclosure on the back of a horned animal, a larger horned animal behind, a stylized bird above it. 26 mm. Choice example and condition.



B2898. A MESOPOTAMIAN CYLINDER SEAL, ca. 2nd millennium BC. The dark gray stone seal with a carved scene with two figures supporting a wreath between them, a panel of heiroglyphic-like symbols to the left. 21 mm. Nice example and condition.



B2899. A MESOPOTAMIAN CYLINDER SEAL, ca. 2nd millennium BC. The black stone seal with a carved scene of two sphinxes. 20 mm. Nice example and condition, small chip to rim not affecting the rollout.



B2900. A FINE MESOPOTAMIAN CYLINDER SEAL, ca. 2nd millennium BC. The black stone seal with a very deeply carved procesion of four male figures with hands either raised or clasped. 30 mm. Excellent example and condition.



B2901. A FINE MESOPOTAMIAN CYLINDER SEAL, ca. 2nd millennium BC. The black stone seal with a carved scene with three bearded male figures making offerings before an altar on which stands an offering vessel. 20 mm. Choice example with fine carving and condition.



B2902. A LARGE MESOPOTAMIAN CYLINDER SEAL, ca. 2nd millennium BC. The black stone seal with a carved scene with a male figure confronting a winged mythological beast, dots, suns and crescents around, annulet borders. 36 mm. Nice example.



B2903. A CHOICE ASSYRIAN FAIENCE DISH, ca. 700 BC. The beautiful pale turquoise-blue dish on ring base with molded flower and sunburst at the center, molded rope pattern along the rim. 0.8 x 3.3 inches. Choice intact condition. Excessively rare and fine.



B2904. A HEAVY COPPER ALLOY BRACELET. Probably Bactrian or Persian, ca. 1250-750 BC. The heavy solid bracelet of triangular section with ribbed edges, considerable interesting woven textile imprints in the encrustation layer. 1.8 x 3.7 inches. A very interesting piece most likely worn by a warrior as a shield against some blows. Rare.



B2905. A CHOICE LURISTAN BRONZE BEAKER, ca. 9th-8th century BC. The cylindrical cup terminating in the finely worked snarling head of a lion, the rim with tongue and dot border all done in repousse technique with chased detail. 2 x 4 inches. Choice condition and extremely rare.



B2906. A CHOICE LURISTAN BRONZE STAMP SEAL, ca. 8th-9th century BC. The seal with double bird's heads forming the handle, the stamp of Boeotian shield form with annular and linear designs. The seal in choice condition with original suspension ring intact. 2.4 x 2.5 inches. Rare this nice.



B2907. A SCYTHIAN BRONZE EQUESTRIAN ORNAMENT, ca. 5th-4th century BC. Nicely modeled with bird's head with beak, nasal opening and projecting topknot. Similar detail both sides. 1 x 1.6 inches. This was an equestrian ornament projecting from the horse's forehead. Cf. Materials in The Archaeology of Tauria for the type. Rare. Nice example.



B2908. A SCYTHIAN BRONZE BRIDLE ORNAMENT, ca. 5th century BC. The 'animal style' ornament with four finely styled does? heads in swastica form. 1.3 inches diameter. Rare & nice.



B2909. A SYRO-HITTITE FERTILITY FIGURE, ca. 1200-1000 BC. With beak-nosed face and hands to breasts. 6.5 inches. Intact with good detail.



B2910. A SYRO-HITTITE FERTILITY FIGURE, ca. 1200-1000 BC. With beak-nosed face and hands to breasts. 5.75 inches. Intact with good detail.



B2911. A SYRO-PHOENICIAN FIGURE OF ASTARTE, ca. 1000-700 BC. The standing idol of the goddess with left hand to her belly on integral base. 7 inches. Scarce.



B2912. A SYRO-PHOENICIAN FIGURE OF ASTARTE, ca. 1000-700 BC. The standing idol of the goddess with left hand to her belly on integral base. 7.5 inches. Scarce.



B2913. A SYRIAN MAGICAL AMULET, ca. 1st millennium BC. The carved stone amulet of square cross section, the sides carved with an ankh, a human figure, a branch, and a star, drilled suspension hole through the axis. 15 mm.



B2914. A CHOICE PHOENICIAN 'BIL-BIL', ca. 1200-900 BC. The classic Phoenician vessel with spherical body on everted ring base with high neck with everted rim, a single strap handle looping gracefully from the shoulder to the neck, the body ornamented with curving ridges. 11.4 inches. A choice and large example. Very rare this nice.



B2915. A PHOENICIAN GRAYWARE AMPHORA, ca. 1000-500 BC. The single handled amphora with piriform body and narrow neck. 5 inches. Intact excellent condition. On custom stand.



B2916. A VERY RARE LARGE MACEDONIAN TRANSPORT AMPHORA, ca. 3rd-2nd century BC. Of globular form with wide neck and heavy rim, a blunt projecting knob at the bottom, this type used for storage and transport of non-liquid goods. 16 x 23 inches. Intact with considerable sea encrustation. Choice intact example. An extremely rare large Macedonian artifact. See 'Chronicles Of The Roman World', Timothy R. Roberts, p. 78 for very similar examples found at the Macedonian capital of Pella.



B2917. A VERY RARE LARGE MACEDONIAN TRANSPORT AMPHORA, ca. 3rd-2nd century BC. Of globular form with wide neck and heavy rim, a blunt projecting knob at the bottom, this type used for storage and transport of non-liquid goods. 15 x 22 inches. Intact with considerable sea encrustation. Choice intact example. An extremely rare large Macedonian artifact. See 'Chronicles Of The Roman World', Timothy R. Roberts, p. 78 for very similar examples found at the Macedonian capital of Pella.



B2918. A HOLY LAND BLACKWARE JUG. Iron Age, ca. early first millennium BC. The small jug with single handle and wide spout. 3.3 inches.



B2919. A HOLY LAND BABY FEEDER. Iron Age, ca. early first millennium BC. The jug with single handle and nipple spout. 5.3 inches.



B2920. A HOLY LAND BABY FEEDER. Iron Age, ca. early first millennium BC. The small jug with double handles and nipple spout. 3.3 x 4.6 inches across handles.



B2921. A HOLY LAND BABY FEEDER. Iron Age, ca. early first millennium BC. The small jug with single handle and nipple spout. 3.75 inches.



B2922. A JUDAEAN LEAD AMULET WITH MENORAH, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The square plaque with clear menorah within an incuse circle, the suspension loop with age crack. 1.4 x 1.8 inches. Very rare.



B2923. A CHOICE CYPRIOT ARROWHEAD, ca. 6th-3rd century BC. The trilobate socketed bronze arrowhead with the molded Cypriot letter RO on one side, ancient incised lines on another. 1.3 inches. Very rare and in truly exceptional condition.



B2924. A CYPRIOT PAINTED AMPHORA, ca. 1000-500 BC. The amphora with triple ridged handle with piriform body with painted bands of red and narrow neck. 4.75 inches. Intact. On custom stand.



B2925. A CYPRIOT REDWARE AMPHORA, ca. 1000-500 BC. The amphora with double ridged handle with globular body with rolled neck. Remains of red glaze. 3.5 inches. Intact.



B2926. A HEAVY SASANIAN STONE FREIZE, ca. 4th-6th century AD. The freize of rectangular form in banded marble, carved with a hunting scene, a king on horseback wearing a royal Sasanian crown and drawing his bow at three mouflons which run before. 5 x 12 x 21 inches. 97 lbs. A complete and fine freize that stands freely on its own. Very rare.




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