Indus Valley Stamp Seal Collection

Indus Valley Stamp Seal Collection
23rd-20th century BC
A mixed group of five bronze seals comprising: one discoid with four pear-shaped compartments to the centre and scalloped edge; and four 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-873) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 48 x 37 x 19mm. This bears the shape of the design, with flat compartmented face and flat back, on which is mounted a handle of inverted V-shape. The design consists of two eagles tête bêche, sharing a common body with no tail feathers. Each bird is shown with head sideways and wings spread and curving upwards at their ends, where a curving strut joins wings and head. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is a rare design and in good condition, the metal having been conserved.'; (U-405) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 44 x 44 x 15mm. This is round, with flat compartmented and open-work face, and the back is also flat with handle of inverted U-shape. The design shows a standing bird with long neck bent backwards over the body, at least according to the face. On the back there is linear engraving to repeat the design, and there the head is like that of a snake, and there is also a short curling tail. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is extremely interesting for an engraved back not agreeing with the compartmented face. the outer rim is bent and broken off in places, but the rest is in fair condition.'; (R-210) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 40 x 38 x 12mm. This is roughly round, with flat face and flat back, on which is mounted an oblong handle with flat top, pierced near its base. The design is compartmented, but not open-work. It shows a simple cross with crescents occupying the quarters so created within a circle. This circle forms the base of an outer band of 18 shapes which give the outer rim a scalloped edge. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. it is in quite good condition, the metal being well preserved.'; (R-722) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 37 x 38 x 13mm. This is square with cut-off corners, with flat face and flat back on which is mounted a handle of inverted U-shape made from sheet metal. The design consists of a central Greek cross within a zig-zag square, and that within another larger zig-zag square joined to the inner one at the corners. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is a rare design, and though both the handle and the edges are damaged, the piece is in fair condition and the design is entirely clear.' 137 grams total, 38-48mm (1 1/2-2"). Fine condition. [5]
Provenance
The Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; collection numbers R-210, U-405, T-873, R-722, Z-202, academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s.