Indus Valley Stamp Seal Collection

Late 3rd-early 2nd millennium BC
A mixed group of five bronze seals comprising: one in the form of an eight-pointed star, s-section knop handle to the reverse; one in the form of a standing quadruped with compartmented body, inverted u-shape handle to reverse; and three accompanied by typed and signed notes by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which state: (T-525) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 43 x 42 x 11mm. This is roughly round, with scalloped edges reflecting the design. The face is flat and engraved with the design. the back is also engraved with the pattern in relief, and with a central suspension loop with grooves over it. The pattern is a guilloche forming a circle. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is a rare type and in quite good condition. The metal has been conserved.'; (U-634) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 46 x 43 x 7mm. This bears the shape of the design, with the face engraved in intaglio and the design repeated on the back in deep relief. A curling snake is shown. There is a small suspension hole through the highest loop on the back. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is a rare piece and in quite good condition, the metal having been conserved.'; (V-261) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 41 x 40 x 19mm. This is roughly square, with flat compartmented and open-work face, and flat back on which is mounted a handle of inverted V-shape. The design consists of a simple cross dividing the whole into four squares, and each square is divided into three oblongs by two parallel lines, so arranged that the lines in adjacent squares are never parallel. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. There is some wear, but generally the piece is in good condition, and the metal has been conserved.' 167 grams total. 42-48mm (1 3/4-2"). Fine condition. [5]
Provenance
The Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; collection numbers U-634,T-525, V-261, academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s.