Central Asian Compartmented Stamp Seal Group

3rd-2nd millennium BC. A mixed group of ten bronze seals of various shapes and designs, including eight 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-794) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 19 x 19 x 20.5 x 26mm. This bears the shape of the design, with flat face and flat back, on which is mounted a stalk handle ending in a pierced loop. The design, which is compartmented, is a kind of trefoil, with a small compartment added to the outer edge of each arm. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2100-1800 B.C. The outer edges are worn, otherwise it is in good condition.'; (U-313) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 14 x 13 x 19mm. This has a round, flat, compartmented face, vertical sides and a back rising to a pierced handle. The design on the face is achieved with a T-shape. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2100-1800 B.C. There is a covering of incrustation, which could be removed, but otherwise the piece appears to be in good condition.'; (T-751) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 21 x 20 x 20mm. This is a round disc with flat face, bevelled edges, and flat back on which is mounted a stalk handle ending in a pierced loop. The design on the face, done in raised lines, consists of a simple cross and four crescents resting on the rim filling the four quarters. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2200-1800 B.C. There is some corrosion on the surface, but otherwise it is in good condition.'; (T-516) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 16 x 16.5 x 2mm. This has a round flat face and flat back on which is mounted a stalk handle with suspension loop on top. The design on the face consists of three crescents based on the rim. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2200-1800 B.C. The rim is a little worn, otherwise the piece is in very good condition'; (T-6) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 16 x 19 x 27mm. This has a roughly oval face and a back which rises steeply to a handle with groove around the base and oval suspension loop on top. The design on the base, which is linear, consists of the same motif twice, tête bêche: three bending lines in a row suspended from a scrolling line on top. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2100-1700 B.C. The design may be a stylised version of a standing quadruped with head turned backwards. The edges of the seal and the handle are quite worn, but the design is clear. There is some incrustation on the surface which could be removed. The metal is in good condition.'; (T-505) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 19 x 21 x 26mm. This has a round flat face and convex back that rises steeply to a stalk handle with pierced suspension loop on top. the design on the face is a pattern of raised lines: four crescents on the rim, a free-standing fat crescent inside, and another motif. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2200-1800 B.C. There is a little incrustation on the design, which could be removed. Generally it is in good condition, only the loop is worn.'; (T-509) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 22 x 19 x 22mm. This has a roughly oval flat face, and slightly convex back on which is mounted a handle with oval pierced loop on top. The design on the face is linear and is a combination of curving lines creating an abstract pattern. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2200-1800 B.C. The rim around the face is mostly worn down, but otherwise the piece is in fair condition. The metal is in good state.; (B-35) Stamp Seal of Bronze, 23.5 x 23.5 x 20.5mm. This has a round flat compartmented face, and the solid back rises to a pierced knob handle. The design is composed of two crossing lines roughly dividing the circle into four parts, within each of which is a crescent with ends resting on the rim. This is a seal from the Bronze Age of west central Asia, c. 2000-1500 Being the probable date. it is partly encrusted, but could be cleaned and generally is in good condition.' 113 grams total, 20-34mm (3/4-1 1/4"). The Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; collection numbers B-35, T-509, T-505, T-6, T-516, T-751, V-794, U-571, U-313, N 94, academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s. [10]
Condition Report: Fine condition.