Seal Matrix Group

3rd-1st millennium BC. A mixed group of ten seals with various shapes and designs, including eight accompanied by typed and signed notes by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which state: (U-593) 'Stamp Seal of Black Stone, 11 x 21 x 20mm. The face is oval and inclines downwards at one side. The back has a stalk handle in the form of a bird's neck and head with beak open. The eyes of the bird are the suspension hole. A lion is depicted. This is a rare object and not easy to place and date, though it comes from west central Asia. The most probable date is c. 1200-600 B.C. though the lower part of the face seems to have been damaged and recut.; (B-31) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 26 x 18 x 26mm. The face is flat, compartmented, and has the shape of a rhomb. The back is solid and first rises like a pyramid to the base of a stalk handle, where there is a carefully ridged band. The handle has a pierced knob on top. The design consists of two spiralling lines joined by inverted V-shapes, the spiralling line alone starting from the rim. This is a seal from the Bronze Age of west central Asia, probably dating to c. 2000-1500 B.C. One side is damaged, otherwise it is in good condition. The incrustation on the surface could be removed.'; (T-434) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 19 x 17 x 24mm. This has a round flat face and a convex back which rises to a stalk handle with oval loop on top. The design is linear and consists of three crescents based on the rim dividing the circle into a three-armed figure and three crescent-shaped areas. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2200-1800 B.C. There is incrustation on the surface, which could be removed, and one side is chipped, but otherwise it is in good condition.; (49) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 13 x 13.5 x 21mm. This has a convex, almost round face, and the back rises like a tall cone with pierced handle on the top and four grooves around the base. The design shows a running horned animal, with dots around as fillers. This is a seal from Syria or northern Mesopotamia, c. 900-700 B.C. It is in fine condition.'; (T-510) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 18 x 20 x 25mm. The face is flat, and the back rises steeply to a stalk handle surmounted by a pierced oval loop. the design on the face is linear and consists of two opposite V-shapes, one containing a short stroke from the edge, and two opposite spirals. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2200-1800 B.C. There is some incrustation on the surface, which could be removed. The metal is in good condition. Save for some wear on the rim surrounding the face, it is in good condition.'; (R-485) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 20 x 20 x 19mm. This has a round flat face, and a back which rises gently to the base of a stalk handle which ends in a pierced round loop. The design is linear and consists of a central circle joined to an outer rim by six strokes at varying angles. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2000-1600 B.C. It is a little worn, but the metal has been conserved and the piece is in good condition.'; (V-800) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 20 x 20 x 19mm. This has a flat round face and a convex back in the middle of which is a suspension loop on a stalk handle. The design on the face, done in raised lines, consists of a major curling line supported by a short strut and two crescents based on the rim. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2100-1800 B.C. Though small it is in good condition, only the rim is chipped at one point. The incrustation on the surface could be removed.'; (U-307) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 15 x 15 x 23mm. This has a round flat face, and flat back on which is mounted a stalk handle ending in a large pierced loop. The design consists of two near circles and two wide V-shapes, all based on the worn-down outer rim in opposite pairs. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2100-1800 B.C. The rim is worn down, but otherwise it is in fair condition.' 95 grams total, 25-32mm (1 - 1 1/4"). The Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; collection numbers T-510, 49, T-434, B-31, U-593, R-485, U-307, V-800, Y-824, U-298, academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s. Dr. Bonewitz notes: 'The seals are made from bronze (9), and limestone (1).' [10]
Condition Report: Fine condition.