Central Asian Compartmented Stamp Seal Group

23rd-20th century BC. A mixed group of ten seals comprising: one rectangular with horizontal zigzag; and nine accompanied by typed and signed scholarly notes issued by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which state: (V-799) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 22 x 23 x 27mm. This has a roughly round face, short vertical sides, and a back which rises steeply to a suspension loop. The design on the face, done in raised lines, consists of a main motif in the middle: a short stroke supporting a circle with open top, a short stroke within this point, two crescents based on the edge, and a straight line from one of these crescents. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2100-1800 B.C. It is generally in very good condition, though there is wear of the rim and suspension loop.'; (T-679) 'Stamp Seal of bronze, 29 x 21 x 19mm. The shape of this seal follows the design. it has a flat face and flat back on which is mounted a stalk handle with oval pierced loop on top. The design, which is compartmented, consists of a central small circle with two S-shapes on opposite sides of the circle and with two small irregular shapes filling the gaps between the S-shapes. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2200-1800 B.C. There is incrustation on the surface, which could be removed, but the metal underneath and the seal as a whole is in good condition.'; (T-996) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 27 x 22 x 14mm. This is diamond shape, with flat face and flat back, on which is mounted a handle of inverted V-shape. The design on the face, done in raised lines, consists of four Greek crosses that meet in the middle with four shapes created around the meeting point. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. The outer rim is mostly worn off and the piece is covered with incrustation, which could, however, be removed.'; (T-836) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 28 x 27 x 34mm. This has a round flat face and flat back, on which is mounted a tall stalk handle ending in a pierced loop. The design on the face, which is compartmented, consists of a formeé cross within an outer circle. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2200-1800 B.C. There is incrustation on the surface, which could be removed. The outer rim is largely worn off, and the handle is also a little worn, but generally the piece is in fair condition.; (T-835) Stamp Seal of Bronze, 21 x 21 x 11mm. This is round, with flat face and flat back, on which is mounted a handle of inverted U-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. There is some incrustation on the surface, which could be removed. The seal is in very good condition.'; (T-478) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 27 x 26 x 14mm. This has the form of a trefoil with curving arms. The face is flat with grooves around the edges, and the back is very slightly convex with central loop handle mounted on it. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2200-1800 B.C. It is covered with incrustation, which could be removed, but is in good condition.'; (T-503) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 22 x 21 x 15mm. This is a disc with round flat face and flat back, on which is mounted a large suspension loop. The design on the face consists of three crescents based on the rim. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is covered with thick incrustation, which could be removed, and is generally in fair condition.'; (D-47) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 21 x 21 x 13.5mm. This is round with scalloped edges, with flat face, flat back and a loop handle, pierced, on the back. The design is a pattern based on a Greek cross with circle in the middle and four crescents filling the spaces between the arms of the cross. This comes from west central Asia, and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. it is in very good condition.'; (K-9) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 26 x 25 x 16mm. This is round, compartmented and open-work, with a tall pierced handle mounted on the back. The design consists of an outer band, within which three identical shapes fit together, each a band which starts from the centre as straight, then curves around like an open P. This leaves three open circles and three less regular shapes. This seal comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. The outer band is broken at one point, and the metal needs conservation, but otherwise it is in good condition.' 103 grams total, 19-35mm (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-799, Y-848, D-47, T-836, T-478, T-503, T-679, K-9, T-996, T-835, academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s. [10]
Condition Report: Fine condition.