Rare Relics Of A Little Known Civilization
It was in the mid 4th millennium BC that the first major civilizations began to arise along major river systems such as the Nile and the Tigris Euphrates. Though not so well known the Indus Valley or Harappan culture was one of the greatest of these early civilizations. It arose along the Indus river in what is now Pakistan around 3500 BC and reached its peak from 2900 - 1900 BC. The capital seems to have been near the small modern town of Harappa whence its name but there were other large cities at Mohenjo Daro, Mehrgarh and elsewhere. At its peak it was a vast empire of cities, towns and public works that stretched from Afghanistan to the Indian ocean. But by c. 1300 the Harappan civilization had vanished likely due to prolonged failure of the monsoon rains. In contrast to cuneiform and hieroglyphics the writing system of the Indus culture has still not been deciphered. More information can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indus_Valley_Civilization.
SEALS POTTERY FIGURES ORNAMENTS
INDUS VALLEY CYLINDER SEALS
6970. RARE INDUS VALLEY SEAL, c. 3rd-2nd millennium BC. The black stone seal with one standing, one kneeling figure. 22 mm. Excellent condition.
$2450.
6971. RARE INDUS VALLEY CYLINDER SEAL, c. 3rd-2nd millennium BC. The tan stone seal with 3 large animals. 24 mm. Nice condition.
6972. RARE INDUS VALLEY CYLINDER SEAL, c. 3rd-2nd millennium BC. The tan stone seal with 2 large animals. 24 mm. Nice condition. Better than rollout, clay was damaged on left animal.
INDUS VALLEY POTTERY
7815. MEHRGARH BICHROME FIGURAL VESSEL, Indus Valley, c. 3rd millennium BC. The pot painted with two large bulls separated by vegetation. All intact and original with no repair, repainting or restoration. Light lime deposits attesting authenticity. 3.5 x 4.5 inches.
7816. MEHRGARH BICHROME FIGURAL GOBLET, Indus Valley, c. 3rd millennium BC. The vessel painted with register of ibex and geometric bands of dots and rings. Slight abrasion to rim, otherwise intact. Light lime deposits attesting authenticity. 3 x 4 inches.
7822. MEHRGARH BICHROME FIGURAL CUP, Indus Valley, c. 3rd millennium BC. The cup painted with two large bulls separated by vegetation. All intact and original with no repair, repainting or restoration. Some lime deposits attesting authenticity. 3 x 4 inches.
7824. ELEGANT MEHRGARH BICHROME FIGURAL VESSEL, Indus Valley, c. 3rd millennium BC. The pot painted with a register of numerous small ibex within linear bands. All intact and original with no repair, repainting or restoration. Light lime deposits attesting authenticity. 4.5 x 4.5 inches.
7825. MEHRGARH BICHROME FIGURAL VESSEL, Indus Valley, c. 3rd millennium BC. The pot painted with registers of felines and ibex separated by flowers. All intact and original with no repair, repainting or restoration. Some lime deposits attesting authenticity. 6 x 6.5 inches.
7826. MEHRGARH BICHROME FISH BOWL, Indus Valley, c. 3rd millennium BC. The bowl painted with two large fish with linear bands above and below. All intact and original with no repair, repainting or restoration. 3 x 4.5 inches.
7827. MEHRGARH LARGE FISH BICHROME BOWL, Indus Valley, c. 3rd millennium BC. The bowl painted with three large fish with linear and arrow bands above and below. All intact and original with no repair, repainting or restoration. Light lime deposits attesting authenticity. 4.5 x 7 inches.
7842. MEHRGARH BICHROME FIGURAL VESSEL, Indus Valley, c. 3rd millennium BC. The pot painted with a register of numerous small ibex above large bulls within vegetation and linear bands. All intact and original with no repair, repainting or restoration. Light lime deposits attesting authenticity. 4 x 4 inches.
7840. LARGER MEHRGARH BICHROME FIGURAL VESSEL, Indus Valley, c. 3rd millennium BC. The pot painted with large bulls, fowls and trees a register of numerous small ibex above. Repaired from five large shards, but otherwise intact and original. Some lime deposits attesting authenticity. 6 x 7 inches.
INDUS VALLEY HUMAN & ANIMAL FIGURES
6184. INDUS VALLEY FERTILITY IDOL. Indus Valley, c. 2500-1500 BC. The female idol with arms crossed under breasts, an animal or child on left arm. 2.25 x 6 inches. Rear base rim missing. Very rare with the additional figure!
10728. RARE LARGE INDUS VALLEY POTTERY HEAD (left in the photo), c. 1500-500 BC. 5"h x 4"w x 3"d. Heavy solid hard fired pottery. Provenance. Gifted to the father of the current owner in appreciation to his services to the local community in India in the early 20th century. Side view.
10729. RARE LARGE INDUS VALLEY POTTERY HEAD (center in the photo), c. 1500-500 BC. 5"h x 4"w x 3.5"d. Heavy solid hard fired pottery. Provenance. Gifted to the father of the current owner in appreciation to his services to the local community in India in the early 20th century. Side view.
10730. RARE LARGE INDUS VALLEY POTTERY HEAD (right in the photo), c. 1500-500 BC. 4.5"h x 3.75"w x 2.25"d. Heavy solid hard fired pottery. Provenance. Gifted to the father of the current owner in appreciation to his services to the local community in India in the early 20th century. Side view.
10731. RARE LARGE INDUS VALLEY POTTERY HEAD (left in the photo), c. 1500-500 BC. 5.5"h x 4"w x 4.5"d. Heavy solid hard fired pottery. Provenance. Gifted to the father of the current owner in appreciation to his services to the local community in India in the early 20th century. Side view.
10732. RARE LARGE INDUS VALLEY POTTERY HEAD (right in the photo), c. 1500-500 BC. 5"h x 6"w x 5"d. Heavy solid hard fired pottery. Provenance. Gifted to the father of the current owner in appreciation to his services to the local community in India in the early 20th century. Side view.
10733. RARE LARGE INDUS VALLEY POTTERY HEAD (left in the photo), c. 1500-500 BC. 4"h x 4.5"w x 2.75"d. Heavy solid hard fired pottery. Provenance. Gifted to the father of the current owner in appreciation to his services to the local community in India in the early 20th century. Side view.
WITH WRITING? 10734. RARE LARGE INDUS VALLEY POTTERY FIGURE (right in the photo), c. 1500-500 BC. 8"h x 4"w x 2.5"d. Heavy solid hard fired pottery. With what looks like writing around the neck. If so extremely rare. Needs additional research.
Provenance. Gifted to the father of the current owner in appreciation to his services to the local community in India in the early 20th century. Side view.
$2500.
7181. EARLY INDUS VALLEY FERTILITY FIGURE, c. 3rd-2nd millennium BC. 14 cm.
INDUS VALLEY SILVER & BRONZE ORNAMENTS
9805. FINE INDUS VALLEY BRONZE COMBINATION CLOAK PIN AND MIRROR, ca. 1st millennium BC. The pin with large oval head with repousse designs including two birds at top, palms at sides and floral rosettes. 4 x 14.25 inches. An exceptional example. Very rare. Provenance: Purchased by the current owner from a New Jersey collection in the 1990's, previously from the European market via established dealers.
9806. FINE INDUS VALLEY BRONZE COMBINATION CLOAK PIN AND MIRROR, ca. 1st millennium BC. The pin with large oval head with repousse design with floral rosette within band of dots. 3.75 x 12 inches. Excellent example. Very rare. Provenance: Purchased by the current owner from a New Jersey collection in the 1990's, previously from the European market via established dealers.
9807. FINE INDUS VALLEY BRONZE COMBINATION CLOAK PIN AND MIRROR, ca. 1st millennium BC. The mirror with large polished circular face with heavy long pin handle with perforated knobs at top for attachments. 5.2 x 12.5 inches. Excellent example. Very rare. Provenance: Purchased by the current owner from a New Jersey collection in the 1990's, previously from the European market via established dealers.
