Seal Matrix Group

Late 3rd-early 1st millennium BC. A mixed group of ten seals with various shapes and designs including seven accompanied by typed and signed notes by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which state: (V-728) 'Stamp Seal of bronze, 23 x 20 x 4mm. The object bears the shape of the design: a Greek cross covered with a grid of straight lines. There are two holes for suspension, the wire or thread to pass along on line of the grid. This comes from west central Asia, probably south Afghanistan or the upper Indus valley, and dates to c. 2200-1800 B.C. It is a rare type, and in fair condition.'; (U-496) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 12 x 13 x 21mm. This has a round, flat face and a back which rises steeply to a stalk handle surmounted with a pierced suspension loop. The design on the face, achieved with raised lines, consists of two opposite crescents based on the edge. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2100-1800 B.C. The edges of the seal are worn down, but otherwise the seal is in fair condition.'; (U-498) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 16 x 14 x 21mm. This bears the shape of the design, with flat face and flat back, on which is mounted a stout stalk handle ending in a suspension loop. The design consists of three curling arms joining in the middle and ending in points. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2100-1800 B.C. The tips of the arms of the design are broken off, but otherwise the piece is in fair condition.'; (T-433) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 21 x 20 x 19mm. This has a round, flat face and a slightly convex back, from which rises a stalk handle ending in a pierced ring. The design on the face is linear and consists of a straight line dividing the circle into two, each half of which is filled with a crescent based on the rim. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2200-1800 B.C. It is covered with incrustation, which could be removed, but the metal underneath is in good condition.'; (T-645) 'Stamp Seal of Black Stone, 10 x 9.5 x 13mm. This has a roughly circular flat face, and a back which rises to a stalk handle with pierced top. The design on the face is simple cross within the circle, yielding a formee cross when impressed. this comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2200-1800 B.C. It is in good condition, though the loop is somewhat worn.'; (R-493) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 14 x 13 x 16mm. This had a roughly triangular face and steep sides with decorative grooves leading up to a pierced handle on top. The design is linear: two triangles, one inside the other, filling the outer shape but inverted, and blobs filling the corners. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2000-1600 B.C. The tip of the triangle is broken off, and the loop is bent, but the metal is in good condition.'; (D-35) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 13 x 13 x 18.5mm. This has a round, concave face, and the back rises steeply to a grooved loop handle on top. The back is decorated with two bands of dots with accompanying line. the face also shows a band of dots around the edge, and inside that a standing horned animal, with standing bird in from of it. This comes from ancient Urartu or a neighbouring area, and dates to c. 850-750 B.C. It is in very good condition.' 79 grams total, 13-27mm (36923"). The Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; collection numbers D-35, R-493, T-645, T-433, U-498, U-496, Y-822, N-20, V-728, V-776, academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s. [10]
Condition Report: Fine condition.