Bidspirit auction | Indus Valley Stamp Seal Collection

Indus Valley Stamp Seal Collection - Late 3rd-2nd millennium BC A mixed group of five bronze seals including three accompanied by typed and signed notes by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which state: (T-239) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 37 x 38 x 7mm. This is round,with scalloped outer edge. The face has an engraved design showing a monster: body of a recumbent quadruped, head pointed and rising from a bushy mane, and wings rising over the back. It is put within a frame of dots, one in each scallop. The back is modelled with a rosette with eight main petals, and eight more behind the prominent eight. In the centre are the remains of a loop handle. This comes from west central Asi and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is a rare design, and the whole is in reasonable state of preservation, the metal having been conserved.'; (U-346) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 50 x 50 x 13mm. This is round with scalloped outer edge and with handle of angular shape fixed on the back. The design on the face is compartmented and consists of a central circle, around that a band of 14 'petals', and around that a furhter band of 22 'petals'. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is a big and fine example of its kind, and in good condition. The edge is a little worn down, but the metal has been conserved.'; (R-744) 'Stamp Seal of bronze, 467 x 46 x 18mm. This is round with scalloped outer edge, with convex face and flat back on which an angular handle with hole is mounted. The design is compartmented but not open-work. It consists of a small circle within a square, from which eight identical motifs move to the eight scallops: a curving line and a small circle. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is in fine condition, and the metal has been conserved. The design is a rare one.'; the rest comprising: one roughly hexagonal shape with central star design surrounded by six petals, hoop handle to reverse; one discoid with zoomorphic head design. 209 grams total, 37-61mm (1 1/2-2 1/2”). Fine condition. [5] Provenance The Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; R-744, U-346, T-239, Y-912, Z-213, academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s.