The May Fair Hotel, Stratton Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 8LT, United Kingdom
Terms of sale
View demo
The auction has ended
|
LOT 200:
Western Asiatic Graeco-Babylonian Cylinder Seal with Fighting Scene
more...
|
|
|
Start price:
£
270
Estimated price :
$300 - $400
Buyer's Premium: 30%
VAT: 8.875%
On commission only
Users from foreign countries may be exempted from tax payments, according to the relevant tax regulations
|
Western Asiatic Graeco-Babylonian Cylinder Seal with Fighting Scene
4th century BC
A white agate cylinder seal with warrior on the right with a round cap with a wide brim and hair bun wears a knee-length skirt and an open top long coat with beaded bottom and double belt; his right hand grasps the left arm of his opponent, facing him, while he with a long sword in the left hand pierces his belly; his backwards inclined opponent wears a helmet with a horse's crest (?), a knee-length garment with a broad lower edge, and behind the back in the right hand a spear; between the figures are two stars in the shape of a cross, the others signs behind the fighters imitate cuneiform characters; both figures stand on a baseline. 5.8 grams, 24mm (1"). Fine condition.
Provenance
From the private collection of a North West London lady; previously with a central London gallery; formerly acquired before 1990.
Literature
Cylinder seals from this late period are very rare, the battle scene as well, previously known only between gods on an Old Akkadian (c.2340-2200 BC) seal from the region of the Persian Gulf; see Keel-Leu H. and Teissier B., Die vorderasiatischen Rollsiegel der Sammlungen „Bibel+Orient“ der Universität Freiburg Schweiz, OBO 200, Freiburg (Schweiz), Göttingen, 2004, S.343-344 (text), p.470, fig.439.
