Indus Valley Stamp Seal Collection

Indus Valley Stamp Seal Collection
Late 3rd-2nd millennium BC
A mixed group of ten bronze seals with various shapes and designs, including nine 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-841) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 26 x 26 x 30mm. This has a round flat face and slightly convex back on which is mounted a stalk handle ending in a round loop with ridges over it. The design on the face consists of a pattern of raised lines within an outer rim. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c.2200-1800 B.C. The handle is cracked, and the rim is worn down mostly, but the piece is in fair condition. The incrustation on the surface could be removed.'; (T-765) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 22 x 21 x 28mm. This has a round flat face, short sides, and a back which rises steeply and flares inwards to an oval suspension loop. The design consists of three spirals starting from the surrounding circle with a short stroke branching off each spiral. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2200-1800 B.C. The rim is worn down, but otherwise the piece is in condition.'; (T-470) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 34 x 33 x 31mm. This has a round flat face, and a back which rises steeply to a stalk handle surmounted by a big oval loop, now worn. The design on the face consists of raised lines, mostly curving, not arranged to a regular pattern. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 22001-800 B.C. It is in very good condition and is a good example of its kind.'; (T-408) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 23 x 23 x 31mm. This has a round, slightly concave face, and sides that rise and curve inwards, with ridges around, to a tip which once had a pierced loop on top. The design on the face shows a prancing horned animal surrounded by fillers within an outer linear frame. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 1500-1000 B.C. It is an unusual form, the ridges being formed of a single line which goes around the handle from top to bottom. It is in fair condition.'; (T-508) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 25 x 29 x 19mm. This is incomplete, lacking somewhat less than half of the original object. It was apparently in the shape of a rhomb with the surviving stalk handle with loop on top in the middle. What remains is a linear pattern somewhat like a bush with branches on both sides. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2200-1800 B.C. It is in very good state of preservation so far as the metal is concerned.'; (V-795) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 30 x 29 x 29mm. This is a roughly round disc with tall stout stalk handle mounted on the back, with suspension loop at its top, The design on the face is achieved with raised lines: in the centre is a motif like a circle on a stand, and around it based on the edge are six looping strokes of different kinds. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2100-1800 B.C. It is worn, especially the loop and the rim around the edge, but the design remains entirely clear.'; (P-22) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 24.5 x 24 x 24. This has a flat round face, and a back which rises to a peak on which there is a rounded handle with hole. The design consists of a linear pattern with four scrolling liens starting from the edges and bending over so that they touch each of the preceding and following such line, irregularly so that an oblong is formed in the centre. Extra strokes fill the spaces created by this irregularity. This seal comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2000-1500 B.C. It is covered with incrustation, which could be removed, but the metal underneath appears to be in good condition.'; (P-25) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 23 x 24 x 23mm. This has a round, flat face and a back which rises steeply to a superimposed pierced handle. The design consists of a figure 8 with supporting strut, and inverted V, and a line beginning from the edge and then bending around. This seal comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2000-1500 B.C. It is in quite good condition and has an unusual design.'; (U-302) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 22 x 20 x 26mm. This has a round, slightly concave face and a back which rises steeply to a stalk handle with pierced loop. The design on the face, done in intaglio, consists of a walking winged quadruped with tail raised. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2000-1500 B.C. It is a less common type, and the metal is sound.' 246 grams total, 23-31mm (1-1 1/4"). Fine condition. [10]
Provenance
The Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; T-408, T-470, T-765, T-841, T-508, U-302, V-795, P-25, P-22, P-17 academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s.