ASTA 267 - GLITTICA

A RARE MESOPOTAMIAN WHITE AGATE TURTLE AMULET.

2nd millenium B.C.

23 mm

The animal with a round shell and flat underside. The small, protruding head with two small perforations on top, once with inlays. The four extremities are elongated (missing feet). On top, engraved cross pattern (formerly inlaid). In Mesopotamia the turtle was not only a sought-after food but also attributed with healing power, the reason why it was worn as an amulet. Wear marks. Missing parts and deposits.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A BACTRIAN BANDED AGATE BEAD PENDANT.

2nd millenium B.C.

H 24 mm

With arrow shape and thin central ridge. Pierced at the base.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A NEAR EASTERN BANDED AGATE BEAD PENDANT.

1st millenium B.C.

H 28 mm

Of tronconical shape. Pierced on top. 

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A SEMITIC AGATE NECKLACE ELEMENT IN THE SHAPE OF A CRESCENT MOON.

9th century B.C.

L. 28 mm

In the shape of a crescent moon, no pierced, probably to be mounted in a gold frame. Possibly referring to the crescent moon of Inanna (Ishtar). Wear marks. Very good overall conservation.

Provenance: Formerly Swiss private collection, acquired in the early 1990's, then by descent, family collection since 1998. This lot is sold under temporary import status.

TWO BACTRIAN AGATE NECKLACE BEADS.

3rd-2nd Millenium B.C.

H 36 mm; H 43 mm

Of biconical shape and pierced lenghtwise. With beautiful natural veins and color range,these beads were formerly part of a necklace. 

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A GROUP OF 33 SUMERIAN AGATE BEADS FOR NECKLACE.

6th century B.C.

Min. 6x6 mm; max 22x39 mm

Of different shapes and pierced lenghtwise. Wear marks. Some chips on the edge.

Provenance: Formerly Swiss private collection, acquired in the early 1990's, then by descent, family collection since 1998. This lot is sold under temporary import status.

A PALEO-HEBREW AGATE ENGRAVED SEAL. ASTRAL SYMBOLS AND INSCRIPTION.

7th century B.C.

15x16x10 mm

Of oval shape, pierced lenghtwise. The back is engraved on three registers divided by two horizontal lines; on top, crescent moon and star, beneath, an inscription.

For a similar typology see: the Israeli Museum, Jerusalem.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

A MIDDLE EASTERN AGATE BEAD SEAL.

2nd millenium B.C.

22x29x14 mm

Of almond shape, the back is highly convex and engraved of a cuneiform inscription (to be identified) meanwhile the reverse is flat. Pierced lenghtwise. The stone is partially burnt. Sign of use, natural cracks on the surface of the stone.

Provenance: U.K. private collection

AN ACHAEMENID BANDED AGATE SCARABOID SEAL. RULER KILLING A LION.

5th-4th century B.C.

13x20x7 mm

Of oblongue shape,pierced lenghtwise. The flat side engraved with a ruler standing left and subduing a lion. Use of globular elements for the anatomical details. Wear marks.

Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired on the art market in the early 2000s

AN EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN SANDSTONE JEWELRY MOLD

Early 1st millenium B.C.

37x49x9 mm;

One half of a jewellery mould carved from a light coloured sandstone: used for making metal trinkets, and jewelry elements. It consists of a square block with matrices or negatives on both sides for casting trinkets, in lead or in gold. The matrices on one side include a disc element with star pattern inside, a pear-shaped cable pattern and a cross pattern. On opposite angles, presence of a hole that was used to fixed the other side of the matrice during the fusion.


For a similar typology see: Louvre Museum, Paris, AO 20389 ; RS 7.021

Provenance: U.K. private, acquired on the art market 1980s-1990s

AN EGYPTIAN CARNELIAN SCARAB. EMBLEMA.

Late Period, 664-332 B.C.

13x16x8 mm

The back sculpted in a stylized manner. The reverse engraved with hieroglyphs "k3-hs-r3". Cable border. Wear marks.

Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired on the art market in the early 2000s

A EASTERN ROMAN BLUE CHALCEDONY BLANK SEAL.

2nd - 6th century A.D.

17,5x24x20 mm

Pierced lenghtwise. Probably Near Eastern - Sasanian. Beautiful deep blue tone. Wear marks.

Provenance: From a private collection, France, acquired on the art market in the early 2000s