Late 3rd-early 2nd millennium BC. A mixed group of five bronze seals comprising: two accompanied by typed and signed notes by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham 1970-1993 which state: (T-148) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 30.5 x 25.5 x 11mm. This has the shape of what is depicted: an eagle in heraldic pose, with head at the top and sideways, wings spread and tail feathers down. The face is flat and compartmented, with the eye marked and a dot in the centre. The back is flat and has on it a loop handle of strip metal. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is covered with incrustation which could be removed. The metal appears to be in good condition.'; (K-59) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 33 x 31.5 x 13mm. This is round, with flat face and flat back, in the centre of which is a large loop handle of inverted U-shape. The engraved design on the face shows a heraldic eagle: sideways head at the top, wings spread underneath, and tail feathers spread at the bottom. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2200 B.C. It is generally in good condition, but the edge at one side is worn.'; one in the form of a heraldic eagle, stem handle to the reverse, suspension loop fragmented; one with various animal heads extending from the center including a lion head with japing jaw, a bird head, a serpent(?) head and a zoomorphic head and a human hand, design modelled in relief to the reverse with central pierced handle; one in the form of a horned quadruped with compartmented body and looped handle to the reverse, 57 grams total, 20-40mm (3/4-1 1/2"). The Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; collection numbers V-913, V-944, T-231, K-59, T-148, academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s. [5]
Condition
Fine condition.