Central Asian Seals

127. Bactria, c.2000 – 1700 BC. A large bronze stamp seal in the ‘figure eight’ design with triangular handle. The base is composed of circular compartments placed in an almost random manner. Intact with nice patination. 58 x 45mm. $250

128. Bactria, Murghab Basin, c. 1700 – 1500 BC. A black steatite rectangular double sided stamp seal. On one side is a meandering serpent and the other is a floral pattern, 21 x 18mm. Also a Bactrian, c. 2000 – 1700 BC, white marble seal of rectangular shape and rounded back with flat sides. On the base is a goat with a vulture behind, 27 x 21mm. Both good examples. $200/2

129. Bactria, c.1500 BC. A lot of 3 bronze seals. The first is a handled stamp seal with a seated figure on the base, 22 x 20mm. The second is another handled stamp seal with a geometric form on the base, 30 x 23mm. The third also handled with a tri-lobed base with swirling geometric designs, 28 x 21mm. 2 have some wear, but all are good examples of their types. $250/3

130. Bactria, c.1500 BC. Lot of 8 bronze handled stamp seals. Each with a geometric design on the base. Two of the seals have some loss to the handles and each has thick, green patination. Widths from 20mm to 35mm. $300/8

Near Eastern Terracotta

131. Syria, Halaf, c. 6th-4th millennium B.C. A seated terra cotta buxom "Mother Goddess" with typically chubby arms and legs and highly stylized face wearing a tall turban. Her arms across her chest supporting her breasts. Front side of figure is painted with thin horizontal in pale brown polychrome. Five continuous lines adorn her backside. H: 3 ¼”. Ex. Joel L. Malter Collection #2254. $500

132. Ur III, c. 2150 – 2000 BC. A large cuneiform tablet recording an account of very large amounts of barley, flour wheat and other such items. Nicely incised writing, some losses. 5 3/8” x 2 ½”. $400

134. Ur III, c. 2150 – 2000 BC. A terracotta administrative tablet dealing with an account of barley flour and wheat, 1 ½” x 1 3/8”. $300

135. Lot of 2 Cuneiform tablets. 1). Old Babylonian, administrative record dealing with textiles, the original envelope in several pieces, 1 3/16” x 1 3/16”. 2). Old Babylonian, contract between two persons, fragmentary but interesting, roughly 1 ½” x 1 ½”. 3). Old Babylonian, administrative document, 1 3/8” x 1 3/8”. A good study lot, especially because the envelope is present, which can be reconstructed to gather information about the sender. $500/3

136. Lot of 3 Cuneiform tablets. 1). Ur III, records the disbursement of goods and with some seal impressions. Some restoration to one corner. 2 1/8” x 1 ¾”. 2). Ur III, tablet formed from two separate tablets joined together. Notice the different writing styles, 1 7/8” x 1 5/8”. 3). Ur III / early Old Babylonian, administrative tablet, some restoration and loss of one corner, 2 1/8” x 1 5/8”. An interesting group. $300/3

137. Lot of 3 Cuneiform tablets. 1). Old Babylonian, list of names, crude and interesting, 2 1/8” x 1 ½”. 2). Old Babylonian, administrative record, some restoration, 1 ½” x 1 ¼”. 3). Ur III, administrative records, some restoration, 1 7/8” x 1 ½”. $250/3

138. Lot of 3 Cuneiform tablets. 1). Ur III / early Old Babylonian, letter to Azia from the Azia archive, some restoration, 2 ¼” x 1 ½”. 2). Ur III, receipt of wooden objects, some restoration, 1 5/8” x 1 ½”. 3). Ur III / early Old Babylonian, receipt from the Azia archive, 1 ¾” x 1 ½”. $275/3

139. Lot of 4 Cuneiform tablets. 1). Ur III, administrative tablet from Azia archive, small area of restoration, 2 ¼” x 1 ¾’. 2). Ur III, some restoration, 1 5/8” x 1 3/8”. 3). Ur III, Administrative tablet with seal impression, 1 5/8” x 1 5/8”. 4). Ur III, rough with some losses, 1 7/8” x 1 ½”. A good study group. $350/4

140. Lot of 4 Cuneiform tablets. 1). Ur III, very crude example, 1 5/8” x 1 ¼”. 2). Ur III, recording bundles of reed issued. Seal impression. Repaired with some losses, 1 ¾” x 1 5/8”. 3). Ur III, administrative tablet, some restoration, 1 ½” x 1 ½”. 4). Ur III, barley receipt, some restoration, 1 ¾” x 1 ½”. $250/4

141. Ur III, c.2100 – 2000 BC. A large rectangular baked terracotta tablet with about 30 lines of cuneiform script detailing administrative matters involving food provisions for messengers. Some age cracks around the edges and one side encrusted with beautiful calcite crystals as found. An attractive and very displayable example of early writing. 4 ¾” x 2 1/8”. $750

142. Old Babylonian, c.1900 – 1750 BC. A rectangular baked terracotta tablet with numerous lines of cuneiform script containing lists of names of various gods and their names, most likely a student exercise. Some repair, but a good sized tablet with well preserved characters. 4 ¾” x 2 1/8”. $500

143. Old Babylonian, c.1900 – 1750 BC. A terracotta foundation cone containing lines of cuneiform text. Intact and a nice example. L: 4 5/8”. These foundation cones were placed within the walls of structures so that the original builders could be remembered during future rebuilding or restoration work. $750

144. Old Babylonian, c.1900 – 1750 BC. A terracotta foundation cone containing lines of cuneiform text. Intact with very nicely preserved characters and a nice example. L: 4 1/8”. These foundation cones were placed within the walls of structures so that the original builders could be remembered during future rebuilding or restoration work. $750

145. Old Babylonian, c.1900 – 1750 BC. A molded terracotta votive effigy depicting a facing goddess wearing jewelry and an ornate gown. Some surface abraision, but attractive as well as interesting. 5 3/8” x 3”. $450

146. Old Babylonian, c.1900 – 1750 BC. A molded terracotta plaque depicting a standing ruler or god at an ornate balcony, decorated with a central figure flanked by lions. Basically as found with some encrustation. 5 3/8” x 3 3/8”. $400

147. Mesopotamia, c.2000 – 1500 BC. A molded terracotta plaque depicting a seated king on a throne, with long beard and ornate clothing. Some loss, but well molded and a pleasing example. W: 3 ½”; H: 4”. $400

148. Mesopotamia, c.2000 – 1500 BC. The upper portion of a terracotta votive plaque depicting an lion-headed deity in Egyptian style, wearing a belt and kilt, holding a pine cone in his left hand and a dagger in his upraised right hand. H: 2 7/8”; W: 3”. $425

149. Mesopotamia, c.2000 – 1500 BC. A terracotta molded votive effigy of a female, hand across her abdomen, wearing a layered collar. Nicely detailed with some loss on the upper portion of the head and a trowel mark at the mid-torso. H: 5”; W: 1 5/8”. $400

150. Mesopotamia, 2 nd Millenium BC. A large solid red and orange slip colored terracotta ram’s head. Bottom of neck is flat and wide as the base. Spiraled and simplistically incised horns as well as incised face adorn upper section. ex Sotheby. H: 6 ¼”. Some restoration on round base. Ex. Joel L. Malter Collection #794. $3000

151. Mesopotamia, 1 st Millenium BC. A lot of 3 terracotta loom weights, one of which is decorated with incised holes. Also included are two small section of mosaic flooring, the tesserae all white. Plus a bone hair pin, fragmentary. $250

152. Parthian, 3 rd – 2 nd Century BC. A molded terracotta votive plaque depicting a reclining bearded king wearing a tall hat and a short kilt. Well molded and intact. L: 5”; H: 4 ¼”. $450

153. Lot of oil lamps. 4 Holy Land oil lamps, 2 nd – 3 rd Century AD. Some molded decoration on three of them, the fourth is plain. Two show some signs of use. Also included a cup with a small strap handle, the inside black buff. Some restoration. Lamps from 3 1/8” to 3 ½”, the cup L: 4 3/8”. Five pieces in the lot. $200/5

154. Sasanian, 3 rd – 7 th Century AD. A terracotta bulla with the impression from a Sasanian seal. The design is a wined horse standing to rt., raising left foreleg, Pahvlavi script around. Holes on either side from the original cord which sealed the document or box that this bulla locked or protected. Roughly 1 ¾” in diameter. A very interesting piece and scarcer then the seals themselves. $225

Weapons

155. Mesopotamia, 3 rd Millenium BC. A heavy granite piriform mace head with a rounded top and tapered neck. Intact and substantial with some earthen encrustation. H: 2 5/8”. $425

156. Western Iran, Luristan, c. 10 th – 9 th Century BC. A nice pair of bronze dagger handles. The first with the pommel composed of two separated triangular flattened flanges with circular terminals. Remnants of the base of the iron blade. L: 3 ¾”. The second example with similar flared ‘eared’ pommel, the handle decorated with horizontal lines at the base and middle, remnants of the iron blade at bottom and middle. Some splitting revealing the ion core within the handle. L: 5”. A lot of 2 items. $500/2

157. Eastern Europe, Late Bronze Age, 2 nd Millenium BC. A heavy bronze axe head with incised palm design on sides. Intact with attractive patination. L: 8 ¾”. $800

158. Seljuk, c.13 th – 13 th Century AD. A choice iron spear head with solid construction and incised decoration on the shaft and on the blade. Well preserved and a superb example. L: 13 ½”. $675

Ancient Bronze, Silver, & Lead

159. Western Iran, Tepe Sialk, c.1000 – 800 BC. A spouted vessel composed of hammered bronze sheet. The rim is slightly inverted with a low, indented neck and a long narrow spout. The body narrows at the bottom with a relatively flat base. The piece does not possess a handle, which is relatively uncommon. Intact and in good condition, with only a minor dent and some earthen encrustation. H: 3 ¼”; L: 6 ½”. See Moorey, Ancient Persian Bronzes in the Ashmoleon Museum, p. 276, no. 520 for a similar, but handled variety. $650

160. Western Iran, Luristan, c.1000 – 800 BC. A bronze horse harness with joined mouthpiece with curved bar cheek pieces with a circular loop at each side for the reins, each flanked by a pair of holes for the cheek-straps. Intact and a good example. 8 ½” x 7 3/8”. See Moorey, Ancient Persian Bronzes in the Ashmoleon Museum, p. 127, nos. 133 - 134 for similar types. $600

161. Western Iran, Luristan, 1000 – 800 BC. A bracelet composed of 12 silver hollow beads composed of 2 halves joined together, 4 larger bronze bells, and a central silver bull’s head. From the collection of Joel L. Malter. $200

162. Western Iran, c.1200 – 1000 BC. A bronze narrow rhyton with a bull’s head terminal and a textured body. Heavily patinated with some losses. L: 9 1/8”. $800

163. Iran, Luristan, c. 1000 - 800 BC. A long bronze pin with terminals in the form of two spoked discs. Intact with attractive green patination. L: 10”. $150

164. Iran, Luristan, c. 1000 - 800 BC. A fine collection of 10 bronze cloak pins and finials. All are topped with birds, including a peacock, one is gilded. Mounted in display case. $500

165. Iran, Luristan, c. 800 BC. A fine silver bowl, decorated with a delicately incised design in the center of the tondo. A nice example in excellent condition, with light mineral deposits, 6” diameter. $500

166. Eastern Europe, Hallstatt Period, c. 7 th – 5 th Century BC. A lead votive figure of a woman and her child. Executed in nice style for the type with facial features well defined and small breast. The child has more stylized facial features. Intact and rare with the base still in place. H: 5 ¼”. $400

167. Eastern Europe, 3 rd – 2 nd Century BC. A pair of incised bronze bracelets. The first with nicely rounded edges with lines and hatch work, Dia: 2 ¾”. The second with two flat beveled sides, also with lines and hatch work, Dia: 2 ¾”. Both in good condition with nice surfaces. $350/2

168. Eastern Europe, Thracian, c. 1 st Century BC – 2 nd Century AD. Two votive objects, the first a bronze sickle blade with nice shape and good light and dark green patination, L: 10 1/8”. The second item is a lead votive mirror, molded with a spoked framed with an inset for glass or meta, L: 4 ¼”. Both objects are of the type commonly found at votive shrines and the like in Eastern Europe. $225/2

169. Eastern Europe, Thracian, c. 1 st – 2 nd Century AD. An iron horse bit with bronze mouth piece. The iron curb is decorated with 6 bronze knobbed rings and iron curved spikes. Some oxidation to the iron, the curb has separated and one of the back loops is missing, but a nice examples of this type of horse bit. L: 9 ½”. $700

170. Roman, 193 – 211 AD. A silver portrait bust of the Roman emperor Septimius Severus. He depicted wearing a cuirass with the head of Medusa on the center of the breast plate. Some corrosion and cleaning marks, but a nice imperial Portrait which may have been part of a personal shrine. H: 2 ¾”. $4000

171. Roman, c. 100 - 300 AD. A rare bronze "situla" standing on tripod. At top of what in modern times would be described as a small "ice bucket" is bronze strap handle. Piece is in perfect condition with wonderful glossy patina in shades of red and green. Can’t recall if we’ve ever sold such an piece! Ex. Bonham auction. H: 5.5" (with handle extended upwards, H: 8.5"), D: 5.5". Choice condition! $4500

172. Roman, 1 st – 3 rd Century AD. A large bronze handle from a vessel, the two heart-shaped attachments joined by a thick-twisted loop. Intact with an attractive green patina. 4 ¾” x 3 ½”. $300

173. Roman, 1 st – 4 th Century AD. A lot of 4 bronze fibulae. Two are zoomorphic, one is of a round open work design, and the last a circular ‘shield’ type with a silver around the rim and a silver spike at the center. Each is intact with original pins and are crudely mounted on wooden blocks that can be easily removed. Lengths from 1 ¼” to 1 ¾”. $400/4

174. Merovingians, 9 th Century AD. A bronze buckle fragment with St. George seated on his horse to left. Nice style with a deep olive patina. 39 x 25mm. From the collection of Joel L. Malter. $400

175. Lot of 3 nice fibulae, the first is an Iron Etruscan spectacle broach, c. 8 th – 7 th Century BC accompanied by two other interesting early Greek bronze fibulae, c. 7 th – 3 rd Century BC. Lengths from 3 ¼” to 3 ½”. $400/3

176. Roman, 2 nd – 4 th Century AD. A nice iron horse snaffle bit with nicely designed side plates. Intact and in good condition, still retaining one of the loops. Professionally conserved and stable iron. Length 5 3/8”, width of bit, 5 ½”. $700

Marble

177. Western Anatolian, Late Chalcolithic, c.2700 - 2400 BC. A white marble head from a Kilia idol with a low, broad crest arch, small ears, and a simple, conical nose. Minor chip on back of head and old museum numbers on base of neck. 1 ½” x 1 ¾”. Mounted on a small stand. An interesting early idol often referred to as a “star gazer” figure, a type, which was quite prolific throughout the later 4 th and early 3 rd millennium BC throughout Anatolia. $500

178. Western Anatolian, Late Chalcolithic, c.2700 - 2400 BC. A white marble head from a Kilia idol with a low, broad crest arch, small ears, and a simple, conical nose. Minor chip on back of head and old museum numbers on base of neck. 1” x 1”. $300

179. Rome, c. 1st century AD. A marble head of a satyr, possible as Pan. Stoic facial expression with well defined eyes and wavy hair. Goat horns atop head are evident with some losses to each. Face weathered with loses to ears, chin, beard and upper cheeks. Right eyebrow and nose missing. A most desirable piece as satyr are always highly sought after by collectors! Nicely mounted on custom stand. Ht: 9 ½”. Ex Sotheby’s New York Lot 233 sticker still on stand. $10,000

180. Rome, c. 1st century AD. A marble carving of a young standing male figure. He is mostly nude with genitalia revealed below which he is draped with only a sparse flowing gown. His upper torso reveals a well toned young man; his legs are partially covered with draped gown (portion of left leg missing). His head is missing (metal pin inserted atop remaining neck) right arm missing from just above elbow. Left arm supports flowing gown with left hand missing. He stands on a small oval shaped marble base which is part of the carving. Mounted on attractive black stone stand. Quite attractive with soft pleasing appearance. H: 11". $2500

181. Rome, c. 1st century AD. A marble carving small standing female figure. Clad in a flowing gown she holds an object in her right hand with small child atop her left shoulder. She appears to be glancing downwards with stoic expression. Repairs evident in several areas, still attractive and quite pleasing. On stand. H: 7 ¾”. $500

182. Roman marble head of Bacchus, c. 2 nd Century AD. Wonderfully carved small head with fine facial detail throughout. Stoic looking facial expression, the god of wine faces forward and has wavy hair with grapes on each side of central part in hair. Wonderful butter colored patina and set on a custom stand. Some typical wear on tip of nose as is usually the case but otherwise head appears to be in excellent condition. Measures 5 ½” high x 5" x 4". Ex. old London Collection. The Thracian god of wine represents not only the intoxicating power of wine, but also its social and beneficial influences. He is viewed as the promoter of civilization, a lawgiver, and lover of peace — as well as the patron deity of agriculture and the theater. He was also known as the Liberator (Eleutherios), freeing one from one's normal self, by madness, ecstasy, or wine. $6,000

Jewelry

183. Greco-Roman Egypt, 3 rd – 1 st Century BC. A lot of 2 pair of cage earrings, one in silver and the other in bronze. The silver examples are in nice condition and the bronze pair with some encrustation as found. See Petrie, Objects of Daily Use, pl. IX, no. 196 & 203. $200

184. Roman, 2 nd – 3 rd Century AD. A silver ring with a circular bezel set with light blue chalcedony intaglio incised with the head of an eagle in profile. Seal measures 8mm in diameter. Ring size 7. $300

185. Roman, 2 nd – 3 rd Century AD. A heavy gold ring with angled shoulders set with a nice oval intaglio of black and white banded chalcedony depicting two figures with an altar between them, one holding a statuette of Victory. Ring size roughly 6 ½ and a very nice wearable piece. 14.95g. $500

186. Roman, 2 nd – 3 rd Century AD. A pair of children’s rings. The first is a simple gold ring with a round, flat bezel, the second ring is of bronze, probably once gilded, with a small carnelian intaglio depicting an eagle. Both are intact and wearable. $250/2

187. Roman, 1 st – 3 rd Century AD. An ivory carving of a ½ length figure of a draped youth, head slightly tilted to one side. The piece is set in a modern gold pendant in nice ancient style. A nice piece with greenish color from age and a few age cracks. 43 x 30mm and wearable. $500

188. Roman, 4 th – 5 th Century AD. A modern gold ring with a raised bezel and ornate decoration. Centrally set is a glass intaglio imitating sardonyx with a goddess, which is difficult to make out due to some degradation of the glass. Weight 11.53g. Ring size roughly 9 ½. A good, wearable ring. $500

189. Ancient silver earring lot, 7 pieces, Hellenistic through Roman. Two complete pairs and three singles, the largest with 2 glass beads. A good, mixed lot. $350/7

190. A modern gold ring fashion in Roman style with three heads in relief on the bezel. Two are bearded male heads and they flanked a central female head with her hair fashioned into curled rows. A very nice jewelry item and wearable. 10.63g. 22k. Ring size about 7 ½. $350

Ancient Beads

191. East Africa, 20th Century. A very long strand of ostrich shell disc beads, some still fused together with soil from burial. All are intact and good example of an early commodity item, most likely from North Africa. Beads average 10mm, necklace length 39”, enough to make a couple necklaces. $100

192. Neolithic, c. 5000 – 3000 BC. A lot of 55 quartz pierced disc beads from North Africa. Diameters from 8mm to 19mm. Nicely framed in a cherry wood frame. $200

193. Turkmenia, Altyn Depe, c. 2000 BC. A banded agate “evil eye” amulet bead drilled for suspension, flat on one side. W: 6.5 cm. Masson, pl. XXI. A beauty. The largest eye bead from the ancient world this cataloguer has ever seen. From the collection of Joel Malter. . $5000

194. Eastern Mediterranean, c.8 th – 4 th Century BC. A lot of 15 core glass beads. Five of them are of the “eye” type with a lovely turquoise color with the deep blue and white eye. Seven of them are yellow with the deep blue and white eyes around them. Two of them are a plain yellow color, and one is translucent cobalt blue. All are in excellent condition. The average width of the beads are ¼” / 12mm. For similar example from the Hallstatt Period see the collection in the National Museum in Prague. $900

195. Eastern Mediterranean, c.3 rd – 1 st Century BC. A lot of 8 different beads. Two of them are long frosted blue tubular beads with round ends, L: 36mm & 32mm. Two of them are dark black types, L: 13mm & 17mm. Two are black tubular beads, L: 15mm each. And the last two are odd glass types. A mixed group. $300/8

196. Egypt, Late Period, c. 664 – 30 BC. A strand of lovely beads, each predominantly green with some yellow addition. Most are roughly conical in shape and are very rare found all together such as these are. Widths from 6mm to 18mm. $1200

198. Eastern Mediterranean, 3 rd – 1 st Century BC. A strand of mixed core glass beads of various colors and styles. A nice collection from various sources and makes a great strand for the bead collector. A couple are of stone and one or two of faience. At least 4 of the beads are Venetian. Over 70 beads in the lot. $500

199. Eastern Mediterranean, 3 rd – 1 st Century BC. A necklace composed of cobalt blue faceted glass beads. They are strung with some modern silver elements to be worn. Beads average 8mm in length, necklace measures 17”. $400

200. A pair of glass beads. The first is a large core glass bead, Eastern Mediterranean, 3 rd – 1 st Century BC, with central blue coloring with yellow and red woven into it. Some weathering, 18 x 17mm. The second 20th Century Venetian bead is of narrow conical form and is translucent purple glass with some white trailing. It may be of a slightly later date then the other bead in the lot. L: 22mm. $200

201. Lot of 3 glass items. A nice Venetian tube glass bead, lime green with rows of yellow, red, blue and white florettes. All around a central black core. L: 31mm. Also included a partial Roman glass gaming piece with beautiful coloring, 26 x 18mm. Last is a part of a Roman green and black glass bracelet, 28 x 13mm. A nice group of colorful ancient glass. $100

203. Venetian, a nice necklace composed of ovoid-shaped yellow and green opaque glass beads with gold decorations. Beads in good condition, but show some age and wear and tear. Average bead length 18mm, necklace length 18”. $125