Central Asian Compartmented Stamp Seal Collection

3rd-2nd millennium BC. A mixed group of bronze stamp seals, six accompanied by a typed and signed scholarly note issued by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: (R-879) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 32 x 31 x 22 mm. This is roughly round, with flat face and flat back, on which is mounted a handle of oblong shape with slit down its lower part. The design is compartmented but not open-work. It consists of a central circle from which curving lines radiate to the outer rim creating a whirligig. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. There is incrustation on the surface which could be removed, but the metal appears to be in good condition, and generally the piece is in good condition.'; (R-762) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 30.5 x 30.5 x 18 mm. This is round, with flat face and flat back, on which an angular handle, pierced, is mounted. The design consists of a simple cross and between each pair of arms is a stroke beginning at the rim but stopping short of the centre. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is covered with incrustation which could be removed, and generally it is in good condition.'; (U-221) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 38 x 37 x 12 mm. This bears the shape of the design, with flat compartmented face, and flat back on which is mounted a handle of angular form. The design is roughly that of a formee cross with dot in circle in the middle, and each arm of the cross had three dots in triangular formation. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is covered with incrustation and has a little damage to the edges, but otherwise is in good condition.'; (V-208 ) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 28 x 31 x 6.5 mm. This bears the shape of the design, with a somewhat convex face, flattish back, and on the back a small loop handle in the centre. The shape is of a rosette with six 'petals' and round hemispherical depressions form a design: one large one in the centre, one similar in each 'petal', and six much smaller ones between the innermost and the outer large six. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2000-1600 B.C. It is a rare type and is in good condition. There is incrustation on the back, which could be removed.'; (P-20) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 27.5 x 27.5 x 11 mm. This is roughly square, with flat face and flat back, on which is mounted a handle of strip metal with grooves over it. The design is a pattern consisting of a cross joining the corners, a V-shaped figure between each pair of arms of the cross, and two opposite triangular shapes and two opposite semi-circular shapes filling the remaining spaces. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2200-1800 B.C. The design is one previously known from stone seals from eastern Iran. This seal is in very good state of preservation.'; (V-807) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 31 x 29 x 18 mm. The shape of the seal follows the design. It has a flat, compartmented face, and flat back, on which are the remains of a stalk handle, broken off in antiquity and secondarily pierced. The design shows a central dividing canal with forked ends, and each side the same design: something like a pair of eyes with eyelashes. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2200-1800 B.C. It has a rare and interesting design, but is covered with heavy incrustation and is worn.' 178 grams total, 21-42mm (3/4 - 1 1/2"). The Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s. [10]
Condition Report: Fine condition.