Sumerian Steatite and Shell Bead Hoard, One Pound Lot
Near East, Mesopotamia, Sumerian, ca. 3000–2000 BCE. A full pound of ancient disc and short-tube beads, hand-ground from dark grey-green steatite and pale cream shell, each pierced through the center with a fine drill. Thousands of examples fill this lot, their edges softened by wear and burial, their surfaces ranging from chalky matte to a low waxy sheen where the soapstone has kept its polish. Scattered among them are occasional beads of a warm red stone, likely carnelian or a related chalcedony, adding sparks of color to the muted mass. Beads of this scale were strung by the hundred into multi-strand necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and garment trim, and appear in quantity in Mesopotamian burials, where personal adornment accompanied the dead. Sold as a bulk group, ideal for restringing or for study of ancient lapidary technique. Size of each bead (about): 0.2" H x 0.2" Diam (0.5 cm H x 0.5 cm Diam).
Steatite (soapstone) was the workhorse of Mesopotamian bead production: soft enough to be sawn, ground, and bow-drilled in volume with copper and abrasive sand, yet capable of hardening and darkening when heat-treated. Shell, much of it imported up the Gulf from the Indian Ocean littoral, supplied the pale counterpoint, while carnelian, the likely red element here, was traded from the Indus valley and beyond and was prized for its solar warmth. The great graves of Ur produced strung ornaments running to many thousands of such beads, arranged in alternating bands of light and dark, a chromatic rhythm this lot still preserves in miniature.
Provenance: Collection of Y. Kayvan, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired from a Los Angeles, California, USA gallery acquisition dates range from the late 1990s to 2005
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #203210
Condition
Some nicks, chips, and abrasions as commensurate with age. Otherwise, most are very nice and stringable.
Near East, Mesopotamia, Sumerian, ca. 3000–2000 BCE. A full pound of ancient disc and short-tube beads, hand-ground from dark grey-green steatite and pale cream shell, each pierced through the center with a fine drill. Thousands of examples fill this lot, their edges softened by wear and burial, their surfaces ranging from chalky matte to a low waxy sheen where the soapstone has kept its polish. Scattered among them are occasional beads of a warm red stone, likely carnelian or a related chalcedony, adding sparks of color to the muted mass. Beads of this scale were strung by the hundred into multi-strand necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and garment trim, and appear in quantity in Mesopotamian burials, where personal adornment accompanied the dead. Sold as a bulk group, ideal for restringing or for study of ancient lapidary technique. Size of each bead (about): 0.2" H x 0.2" Diam (0.5 cm H x 0.5 cm Diam).
Steatite (soapstone) was the workhorse of Mesopotamian bead production: soft enough to be sawn, ground, and bow-drilled in volume with copper and abrasive sand, yet capable of hardening and darkening when heat-treated. Shell, much of it imported up the Gulf from the Indian Ocean littoral, supplied the pale counterpoint, while carnelian, the likely red element here, was traded from the Indus valley and beyond and was prized for its solar warmth. The great graves of Ur produced strung ornaments running to many thousands of such beads, arranged in alternating bands of light and dark, a chromatic rhythm this lot still preserves in miniature.
Provenance: Collection of Y. Kayvan, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired from a Los Angeles, California, USA gallery acquisition dates range from the late 1990s to 2005
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #203210
Condition
Some nicks, chips, and abrasions as commensurate with age. Otherwise, most are very nice and stringable.
