Unique Treasures From The Cradle Of Civilization
SOTHEBY'S SEALS AMULETS JEWELRY CUNEIFORM BRONZE GLASS FAIENCE POTTERY STONE CYPRIOT WEAPONS
STAMP AND CYLINDER SEALS
6262. VERY RARE SOUTH ARABIAN STAMP SEAL WITH INSCRIPTION, c. 1st century BC-AD. The black stone seal in the form of an animal head with incised eyes, mouth and nose, the face inscribed with four characters in Himyaritic script reading LRHY=belonging to RHY (Rahay?). The inscription clearer than the image shows. 17 x 17 x 11 mm.
$1650.
ANCIENT AMULETS
8961. 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.
ANCIENT JEWELRY
8892. A SASANIAN GOLD PENDANT, ca. 4th-6th century AD. The circular pendant with loops top and bottom, the body ornamented with a peacock done in repousse technique within a beaded border. 24 mm. Very rare. Excellent condition and wearable. Larger view including reverse.
8970. MASSIVE 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 this large and heavy.
8745. A SYRIAN ZOOMORPHIC FIBULA, ca. 3rd-1st century BC. The bronze fibula in the form of a wolf with arched body, the head projecting, with incised ornamentation. 3.25 inches. Very rare.
8743. A FINE PERSIAN ARM FIBULA, ca. 5th-3rd century BC. The bronze fibula in the form of a bent arm terminating in a catch plate with incised fingers, the body beautifully ornamented. 3.5 inches. Iron pin lost. An especially large and fine example of the type with fine patina.
CUNEIFORM TABLETS AND CONES
ANCIENT BRONZE OBJECTS AND FIGURES
8971. 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. Needs to be seen to be appreciated.
8676. A FINE BRONZE TERRET RING WITH INSCRIPTION. Syria or Holy Land, ca. early-mid 1st millenium BC. The heavy cast ring a rein guide for a chariot, with knob and bow ornamentation, one side with hatch and x designs, the other with two circular stamps and a four character inscription. 3.6 x 3.8 inches. Very rare and deserving of further study. Nearly identical in form to another in a German private collection though with a different inscription.
8672. LURISTAN BRONZE FINIAL, ca. 900-800 BC. Cast with the beak-nosed 'master of the animals' flanked by the foreparts of two felines above an openwork probably used for attachment of tassels. 5.5 inches. Both sides similar detail, small hole in one side else choice condition with excellent hard green patina. Considerably better than picture.
8673. LURISTAN BRONZE IBEX AMULET OR PENDANT, ca. 900-800 BC. The ibex with nice detail including ribbed horns and a collar which continues into the suspension loop. 2.25 x 2.25 inches. Intact and rare example in excellent condition with nice patina. Better than picture.
7559. A CHOICE ROMAN BRONZE PITCHER, Syria, c. 1st-3rd Century AD. Bronze vessels were widely used throughout the ancient Mediterranean. This pitcher probably comes from Syria during the Roman era. In excellent intact condition. The pitcher with squat body and high tapering neck and pinched spout all hammered from a single sheet of bronze. The handle cast separately ending in the head of a horned satyr with long pointed beard. Height: 14.2 cm. (5.6"). Metal composition: Bronze with natural brownish green patina. Provenance: In an extensive NJ collection since ~1990.
10369. AN ENGRAVED NEAR EASTERN BRONZE VESSEL, 1st millennium BC. The bronze cup with everted rim and three short tripod feet. The body heavily ornamented with two engraved heads interspersed with two solar disks, and various vegetative designs, 2.5 x 3.5 inches. In excellent solid condition with ancient encrusted patina. Side 2. Side 3. Side 4.
8973. AN EXCEPTIONAL PAIR OF NABATEAN BRONZE FIGURES, ca. 2nd-1st century BC. The matching pair a husband and wife, both dressed in long robes with hands outstretched probably in offering to the gods. To 5.1 inches. Both cast in the round in exceptional style with excellent detail, additional detail certainly under the slightly crusty patina. Very rare and important examples, especially as an intact pair. Mounted on custom stands. See Sotheby's London 6/7/95 #260 for only a single very similar male figure the same size estimated at 6,000-8,000 GBP.
8677. VERY RARE LEAD WEIGHT WITH INSCRIPTION. Syria or Holy Land, ca. 1st millenium BC. Of truncated pyramidal form with all four sides covered with clear inscriptions, probably Semitic. 2.1 inches. Very rare and deserving of further study. On custom stand.
8744. LARGE PHOENICIAN FIBULA, ca. 6th-4th century BC. Greek style bronze bow fibula with very high arch. 2.5 x 3.2 inches. Rare and in excellent condition.
9602. ORNATE SYRIAN SILVER SPOON WITH BOAR'S HEAD, ca. 1000 BC. The spoon with the head of a boar at the top, three sets of triple ring knobs on the handle. 5.2 inches. Choice condition and extremely rare.
ANCIENT GLASS
7422. FINE SASANIAN AUBERGINE VIAL, c. 6th-7th century AD. The vessel of dark yellow-brown glass with plumboid body, tall neck with ridge and everted rim. 4 inches. Rare and in choice condition.
ANCIENT FAIENCE
7554. A VERY RARE ASSYRIAN FAIENCE PYXIS, ZIWIYE, ca. 9th century BC. Of quadrangular form with tapering feet and handles, the body glazed in yellow, turquoise and black with triangular motifs, the handles pierced for attachment of a lid. A very rare example of early polychrome glazing techniques. Museum quality repair with some expert restoration on reverse. Height: 3".
7380. AN INTRIGUING FAIENCE FIGURE. Mesopotamia, c. 1st millennium BC. With rampant lion standing erect embracing and biting an uncertain victim. 3 inches. Traces of blue glaze. Deserving of further study but certainly very rare. Provenance: The estate of an archaeologist active in Egypt in the early 20th century.
ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN POTTERY
7555. A FINE ACHAEMENID RHYTON, ca. 5th-4th century BC. The terra cotta vessel with the finely molded head of a ram. One leg and ear professionally restored. Dimensions: 5 x 9 x 11".
7232. Hellenistic spindle flask. 3rd–1st century BC. Of narrow form with tall neck and foot. Foot repaired. 8 inches.
7233. Hellenistic spindle flask. 3rd–1st century BC. Of narrow form with tall neck and foot. Ankle repaired. 9.5 inches.
8978. RARE PUNIC BABY FEEDER, “Tea pot” shaped base-ring II jug, Late Bronze Age II, 1400–1200 BC. The elegant feeder on high base with single vertical handle and feeder spout, the top half with dark brown glaze. 3.2 inches. Small rim chips otherwise intact. Very rare and elegant.
9525. RARE IRON AGE DECORATED CUP, Cup, NW Iran, Iron Age II, 9th century BC. The single handled cup with horned extension of handle above the rim, four bands of raised dots and a band of incised design around the body. 4.5 x 4.5 inches. A rare type. Intact.
ANCIENT STONE VESSELS AND IDOLS
VERY RARE RELIGIOUS ARTIFACT 13010. NABATEAN LIMESTONE ALTAR. Nabatea, South Arabian peninsula, c. 500 BC. The substantial stone altar carved from fine grained limestone with a square central receptical, stepped sides, and finely carved designs on the front. Some abrasion, otherwise complete in generally fine condition with no repair or restoration. Provenance: An extensive North Eastern collection. Close up. Left side. Right side. Back right. Back left.
10063. FINELY CARVED SUMERIAN CHLORITE BEARD, c. 3rd millennium BC. The small polished chlorite stone finely carved with the beard of a god or king. Would have originally been attached to the chin of the high quality figure of a god or ruler carved in another lighter material such as marble or alabaster. 1 x 0.9 x 0.4 inch deep. A very rare artifact from what was no doubt a real treasure!
8663. A SUMERIAN ALABASTER OFFERING BOWL, ca. 3000 BC. The ceremonial bowl with decorative incised rim and four protruding lugs, probably stylized bull heads, the largest topped with a thin pouring spout. 2.7" x 6.5". Professional nearly invisible repair. Very rare.
ANCIENT CYPRIOT ART
ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN WEAPONS
9600. RARE HEAVY PERSIAN OR BACTRIAN BRONZE SWORD, ca. 1000 BC. The wide, heavy sword with central reinforcing ridge, square section handle with four recesses for inlays and central ridges, and wide pommel with recesses and ridges. 19.25 x 3.5 inches. Rare and choice example!
9601. LARGE LURISTAN EAR POMMEL SWORD. Iran/Luristan ‰_Ò End of 2nd millennium B.C. Solid and very long bronze sword worked out of two pieces. The hilt with a rectangular profile tapering off to crescent-shaped horn, which overlap the blade. The ear-shaped, hollow pommel on the sides with tilting fans, namesaking the sword. The pointed blade with a curved middle ridge. The long sword with central reinforcing double ridge opening into incised leaf design at hilt, flanked by quadruple subsidiary ridges, the heavy solid bronze handle with turned ridged pommel recessed at each side to take inlays. 24 inches. Tip chipped, otherwise excellent condition. Very rare and superior type!
12910. LURISTAN BRONZE CEREMONIAL AXE. Eastern Mediterranean, c. 1st millennium BC. 8 inches. On custom plexiglas stand. Provenance: The property of a European gentleman. Reverse.
$7500.
8964. CHOICE LURISTAN BRONZE AXE, ca. 9th-8th century BC. The axe with long body gracefully widening to the blade, four comb-like lugs reinforcing the socket. 7.3 inches. On custom stand.
9612. RARE BACTRIAN BRONZE CLAW MACE. Central Asia, Bactria, ca. 2100 to 1600 BC. A cast bronze mace or axe head of a uniquely Bactrian form: a hollow oval "blade" ending in four claw-like projections (two still present) that were presumably made to be tightened around a wooden haft. Central Asia during the Bronze Age was a crossroads of trade, warfare, and above all ideas; people here were influenced by Iran in the west and the Indus Valley civilizations like Harappa in the east; however, they had their own distinctive bronze style, as demonstrated by this type of weapon. Size: 4" L (10.2 cm); 3.45" H (8.8 cm) on included custom stand. The axe-like object with four prongs and bronze pins within to attach to a wooden handle. Quite rare and interesting. Side 1. Side 2. Side 3. Side 4. Side 5. Side 6.
THE ARTHUR M. SACKLER COLLECTION - EX. SOTHEBY'S
The following pieces are all from the world famous Arthur M. Sackler collection, all with the impeccable Arthur M. Sackler provenance. These pieces were released by Sotheby's c. 2009 from long term storage and sold at auction by Millea Bros. at the Morristown, New Jersey Armory, February 2011.
Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987) was one of America's preeminent collectors. An M.D. by training, he amassed a fortune by gaining the rights to import and sell Valium in the United States. Sackler was a scholar and patron of the arts. He endowed galleries at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Princeton University, the Arthur M. Sackler Museum at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Arthur M. Sackler Museum of Art and Archaeology at Peking University in Beijing, the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution, in Washington, D.C., and the Jillian & Arthur M. Sackler Wing at the Royal Academy, London. Among these buildings that bear Sackler's name are noteworthy designs by major architects. Especially important is his Arthur M. Sackler Museum in Cambridge, one of only four structures in the U.S. by James Stirling, widely regarded as the leading British architect of the 20th century. He also established a wide range of medical institutions bearing his name.
"Collecting is an infection which is more intractable than any virus and from which there is no inoculation and no immunity."
Arthur Sackler, Physician, Philanthropist, and Art Collector
10626. ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN SILVER VASE WITH FLUTED NECK. Sasanian Period, 5.75"h x 4.25"dia. Largely covered with loose encrustation much of which can probably be removed. Provenance: The Arthur M. Sackler collection. Collected in the 1970's or earlier. Possibly published in one of the dozen or so books documenting the Sackler collection. Closeup. Bottom.
10622. ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN CERAMIC PINCH SPOUT PITCHER (LEFT IN THE PHOTO). Southern Levantine spouted pitcher, 8th–7th century BC. 13.75"h x 7.5"l. Provenance: The Arthur M. Sackler collection. Collected in the 1970's or earlier. Possibly published in one of the dozen or so books documenting the Sackler collection. Closeup. Bottom.
10623. ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN CERAMIC PINCH SPOUT PITCHER (RIGHT IN THE PHOTO). Beaked jug, NW Iran. Early 1st millennium BC. 10.5"h x 7.25"l. Provenance: The Arthur M. Sackler collection. Collected in the 1970's or earlier. Possibly published in one of the dozen or so books documenting the Sackler collection. Closeup. Bottom.
RARE GREEK FIRE HAND GRENADE 10627. ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN GREEK FIRE HAND GRENADE (LEFT IN THE PHOTO). c. 1st millennium AD. Inventoried in the collection as mace heads, these are actually early Greek Fire hand grenades designed to be filled with flammable liquid and thrown against an enemy with lit wicks in the small top opening. Very hard fired, they would burst upon impact and ignite. 3.5"h x 2.25"dia. A scarce legendary early weapon. Provenance: The Arthur M. Sackler collection. Collected in the 1970's or earlier. Possibly published in one of the dozen or so books documenting the Sackler collection. Closeup.
RARE GREEK FIRE HAND GRENADE 10628. ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN GREEK FIRE HAND GRENADE (RIGHT IN THE PHOTO). c. 1st millennium AD. Inventoried in the collection as mace heads, these are actually early Greek Fire hand grenades designed to be filled with flammable liquid and thrown against an enemy with lit wicks in the small top opening. Very hard fired, they would burst upon impact and ignite. 3.25"h x 2"dia. A scarce legendary early weapon. Provenance: The Arthur M. Sackler collection. Collected in the 1970's or earlier. Possibly published in one of the dozen or so books documenting the Sackler collection. Closeup.
10630. ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN RED PAINTED POTTERY VESSEL (TOP LEFT IN THE PHOTO). Painted lugged jar with geometric patterns, NW Iran, c. 7th century BC. 8"h x 7.5"dia. Minute rim flake otherwise intact and in excellent condition. Provenance: The Arthur M. Sackler collection. Collected in the 1970's or earlier. Possibly published in one of the dozen or so books documenting the Sackler collection. Bottom.
10631. ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN RED PAINTED POTTERY VESSEL (TOP RIGHT IN THE PHOTO). Painted jar with geometric patterns, NW Iran, c. 7th century BC. 7.75"h x 6"dia. Intact and in excellent condition. Provenance: The Arthur M. Sackler collection. Collected in the 1970's or earlier. Possibly published in one of the dozen or so books documenting the Sackler collection. Bottom.
10632. ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN RED PAINTED POTTERY PITCHER (CENTER IN THE PHOTO). “Tea pot” shaped painted jar with top handle and geometric patterns, NW Iran, c. 7th century BC. 7"h x 7"w. Intact and in excellent condition. Provenance: The Arthur M. Sackler collection. Collected in the 1970's or earlier. Possibly published in one of the dozen or so books documenting the Sackler collection. Bottom.
10633. ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN RED PAINTED BOWL (BOTTOM LEFT IN THE PHOTO). Painted carinated bowl with geometric design, NW Iran, c. 7th century BC. 2.25"h x 5.5"dia. The bowl with a single large ibex decoration in the interior. Intact and in excellent condition. Provenance: The Arthur M. Sackler collection. Collected in the 1970's or earlier. Possibly published in one of the dozen or so books documenting the Sackler collection. Bottom.
10634. ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN RED PAINTED POTTERY VESSEL (BOTTOM RIGHT IN THE PHOTO). Painted juglet with geometric design, NW Iran, c. 8th-7th century BC. 4.75"h x 4.5"dia. Intact and in excellent condition. Provenance: The Arthur M. Sackler collection. Collected in the 1970's or earlier. Possibly published in one of the dozen or so books documenting the Sackler collection. Bottom.
10639. ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN POTTERY VESSEL (TOP RIGHT IN THE PHOTO). “Tea pot” shaped spouted pitcher, NW Iran, 9th–8th century BC. 9"h x 7.5" diameter. Heavy fabric. Professional preliminary restoration to rim preparatory to final shaping and tinting to match; otherwise intact. Provenance: The Arthur M. Sackler collection. Collected in the 1970's or earlier. Possibly published in one of the dozen or so books documenting the Sackler collection. Reverse.
10642. ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN POTTERY VESSEL (BOTTOM RIGHT IN THE PHOTO). “Tea pot” jug with top handle. NW Iran, 10th–8th century BC. 8"h x 7" diameter. Intact. Provenance: The Arthur M. Sackler collection. Collected in the 1970's or earlier. Possibly published in one of the dozen or so books documenting the Sackler collection. Reverse.
10645. ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN POTTERY VESSEL (TOP RIGHT IN THE PHOTO). Spouted pitcher, NW Iran, early 1st millennium BC. 9"h x 7.5"dia. Flakes to end of spout, otherwise intact. Provenance: The Arthur M. Sackler collection. Collected in the 1970's or earlier. Possibly published in one of the dozen or so books documenting the Sackler collection. Reverse.
10654. ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN POTTERY VESSEL (BOTTOM RIGHT IN THE PHOTO). Spouted pitcher, NW Iran, early 1st millennium BC. 5.5"h x 8.25"w. Intact and of elegant form. Provenance: The Arthur M. Sackler collection. Collected in the 1970's or earlier. Possibly published in one of the dozen or so books documenting the Sackler collection. Reverse.
10652. ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN POTTERY VESSEL (BOTTOM LEFT IN THE PHOTO). “Tea pot” jug with top handle. NW Iran, 10th–8th century BC. 7.5"h x 6.5"w. Intact with incised designs and lugs. Provenance: The Arthur M. Sackler collection. Collected in the 1970's or earlier. Possibly published in one of the dozen or so books documenting the Sackler collection. Reverse.
10655. ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN POTTERY VESSEL (Top left). “Tea pot” jug with top handle. NW Iran, 10th–8th century BC. 9"h x 9.5"dia. Slight roughness to the spout tip, otherwise intact. Provenance: The Arthur M. Sackler collection. Collected in the 1970's or earlier. Possibly published in one of the dozen or so books documenting the Sackler collection. Reverse.
10656. ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN POTTERY VESSEL (Top center). Jug with gazelle and “fox” heads. NW Iran, early 1st millennium BC. 11"h x 9"dia. One head reglued, otherwise intact. Provenance: The Arthur M. Sackler collection. Collected in the 1970's or earlier. Possibly published in one of the dozen or so books documenting the Sackler collection. Reverse.
10657. ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN POTTERY VESSEL (Top right). “Tea pot” jug with top handle. NW Iran, 10th–8th century BC. 10.5"h x 8.5"dia. Intact. Provenance: The Arthur M. Sackler collection. Collected in the 1970's or earlier. Possibly published in one of the dozen or so books documenting the Sackler collection. Reverse.
10660. ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN POTTERY VESSEL (Bottom right). Tripod bowl with with straight and looped legs, NW Iran, early 1st millennium BC. 7"h x 9"dia. Intact and exceptional with looped legs. Provenance: The Arthur M. Sackler collection. Collected in the 1970's or earlier. Possibly published in one of the dozen or so books documenting the Sackler collection. Reverse.
PUBLISHED IN ANCIENT IRANIAN CERAMICS FROM THE ARTHUR M. SACKLER COLLECTIONS 10671. ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN POTTERY VESSEL (Bottom center). Bowl with small handle. NW Iran, late 2nd millennium BC. 3"h x 7"dia. Intact with incised line under rim. Provenance: The Arthur M. Sackler collection. Collected in the 1970's or earlier. Published in Appendix I of Trudy S. Kawami’s Ancient Iranian Ceramics from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections (1992) Reverse.
10641. ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN POTTERY VESSEL (BOTTOM CENTER IN THE PHOTO). Jug, NW Iran, early 1st millennium BC. 7"h x 6.5"dia. Intact with ribbed neck. Provenance: The Arthur M. Sackler collection. Collected in the 1970's or earlier. Possibly published in one of the dozen or so books documenting the Sackler collection. Reverse.
