Central Asian Compartmented Stamp Seal Collection

Late 3rd-2nd millennium BC. A mixed group of ten bronze matrices with various shapes and designs, each 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: (V-793) 'Stamp Seal of bronze, 22 x 24 x 24 x 17mm. This bears the shape of the design, with flat face and back, on which is mounted a stalk handle ending in a pierced loop. The design consists of a kind of trefoil with a dot in the middle. On edges are traces of further strokes now mostly lost. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2100-1800 B.C. Save for wear on the edges it is in very good condition.'; (U-278) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 40 x 40 x 10.5mm. This bears the shape of the design, with flat, compartmented and open-work face, and flat back on which is mounted a handle of inverted V-shape. The design is a rough Greek cross with decorated arms. In the middle a simple cross joins the four arms, and each arm has (or had) a straight stroke dividing it into two parts. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is generally in fair condition, but the loop is damaged and one arm lacks the dividing stroke.'; (U-355) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 33 x 32 x 13mm. This is roughly round with flat compartmented face and flat back, on which is mounted a handle of inverted V-shape. The design consists of a Greek cross within an outer rim. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is in good condition save for denting of the rim, and wear to the back which results in partly open-work design.'; (U-469) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 22 x 22 x 12mm. This is round, with flat face and flat back, on which is mounted a handle of inverted V-shape. The design, which is both compartmented and open-work, consists of a Greek cross within an outer circle. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. The outer rim is a little dented, but the piece is in good condition.'; (T-815) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 37 x 23 x 17mm. This is rhomb-shaped, with flat face and flat back, on which is mounted a handle of inverted V-shape. The design is compartmented and open-work, and consists of a two crossing lines dividing the rhomb into four smaller rhombs. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. There is a little wear at one spot, but generally it is in good condition.'; (U-245) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 24 x 23 x 24 x 27mm. This bears the shape of the design, with flat face and flat back, on which is mounted a stout stalk handle ending in a pierced loop. The design consists of three parts extending out from the centre, with a dot in the very middle and a curving line starting from the edge in each of the three extensions. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2100-1800 B.C. It is worn, but the design is still clear, and the metal appears to be in good condition.'; (T-749) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 23 x 23 x 20mm. This is a round disc, with flat face and flat back on which is mounted a short stalk handle with pierced loop on top. The design on the face is done in raised lines and consists of a simple cross and V-shapes filling the quarters so created. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c.2200-1800 B.C. There is some heavy incrustation on the surface, which could be removed, but the metal and the piece as a whole is in very good condition.'; (U-456) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 26 x 25 x 8mm. This bears the shape of the design, with flat face and flat back on which is mounted a handle of sheet metal. The design is a rosette with a round centre on the edge of which three V-shapes are put and around which ten petals are put. It is compartmented. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is a nice example of its kind and in good condition.'; (B-9) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 26 x 19 x 14mm. This has a flat solid back with big loop handle decorated with grooves and a rope pattern. The shape of the piece follows the design on the flat face. It is a rosette with seven petals, and a crescent above (or below) it. This seal comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. Such seals in silver are rare, and the design is also a rare one. The loop is worn on top, but generally the seal is in very good condition.'; (V-335) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 24 x 24 x 8mm. This is roughly square, with flat compartmented and open-work face and flat back on which is mounted a handle of inverted V-shape. The design consists of a central circle and two crescents covering each corner, the circle joined to the outer crescents by short struts. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is small but has an interesting shape and design, and it is in good condition.' 101 grams total, 22-40mm (1-1 1/2"). The Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; collection numbers V-335, B-9, U-456, T-749, U-245, T-815, U-469, U-355, U-278, V-793, U-456, academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s. [10]
Condition Report: Fine condition.