Western Asiatic Stamp Seal Collection

Western Asiatic Stamp Seal Collection
3rd-2nd millennium BC
A mixed group of drum-shaped stone stamp seals, including eight accompanied by a typed and signed note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993 which state: (T-624) 'Bifacial Stamp Seal of Fawn Stone 12 x 12 x 5.5 mm. This is a round disc pierced for suspension. The designs are done with the drill alone, and are not completely clear. The one shows a plant in bloom, perhaps, and the other difficult pattern [sic]. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is in fine condition.' (T-627) 'Bifacial Stamp Seal of White Stone 10 x 10 x 5.5 mm. This is a round disc pierced for suspension. Both designs are done with the drill alone. The one shows a plant in bloom, the other apparently a formée cross. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c.2300-2000 B.C. One side is well preserved, but the other is corroding.' (R-28) 'Bifacial Stamp Seal of White Stone 16 x 15.5 x 8 mm. This is a round thick disc, with designs achieved with drill holes alone. The one side shows a curling snake, the other a winged quadruped. The seal is pierced for suspension. This comes from west central Asia and dates to 2300-2000 B.C. It is a nice example of its kind and in very good condition.' (R-72) 'Bifacial Stamp Seal of dark Stone 13 x 13 x 5mm. This is a round disc, pierced for suspension. Both faces have designs achieved with drill holes alone. The one shows a plant with central stem and pairs of side shoots. The other shows a circle with two dots in the middle. This seal comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is in good condition.' (R-114) 'Bifacial Stamp Seal of White Stone 11 x 11 x 6 mm. This is a round disc, pierced for suspension. Each of the flat faces has a design of drill holes. They are almost identical designs showing a crouching quadruped with head turned backwards. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is somewhat corroded, but the designs can be made out.' (R-104) 'Bifacial Stamp Seal of White Stone 13.5 x 13.5 x 9 mm. This is a thick round disc pierced fur [sic] suspension. Both sided bear designs composed of drill holes alone. The one shows a curling snake, the other a kind of swastika. This comes from west central Asia and date [sic] to c. 2300-2000 B.C. There is a little corrosion, but generally it is in good condition.' (R-111) 'Bifacial Stamp Seal of yellow Stone 12 x 12 x 7 mm. This is a round disc with hole through the middle sideways. Both sides have designs of drill holes alone, and essentially the same design on both faces. It probably depicts something, but what is not certain, but perhaps a springing animal with big ears, or a curling snake. This seal comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is worn, but the design is clear.' (R-113) 'Bifacial Stamp Seal of White Stone 11.5 x 11 x 7 mm. This is a round disc, pierced for suspension. Both faces have design of drill holes. The one shows a plant with central stem and two sets of side shoots. The other has a design which has not yet been understood. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is a little corroded, but the designs are clear.' 51 grams total, 10-17mm (1/2-3/4"). Fine condition. [20]
Provenance
The Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; collection numbers A-7, R-28, R-65, R-66, R-72, R-104, R-111, R-113, R-114, R-118, R-120, R-804, R-809, R-812, R-813, R-936, T-624, T-627, V-73, V-82, academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s.
Footnotes
Dr. Bonewitz notes: 'The seals are made from lapis lazuli (1), jasper (1), serpentine (1), and limestone (17).'