Lot 50
PAIR OF MESOPOTAMIAN CYLINDER SEALS, ACQUIRED EARLY 20TH CENTURY
NEAR EAST, 3RD - 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
Ancient, African & Oceanic Art and Natural History
Auction: 08 July 2026 at 14:00 BST
Description
the first carved and polished carnelian, depicting a bull beneath a tree and star; the second carved of dark serpentine, depicting a vibrant scene of a bird with outstretched wings, surrounded by further birds in flight and running antelope (2)
Dimensions
2.8cm & 2.2cm long
Provenance
From the collection of Dr. Julius Maeder (1900–1973), Switzerland, and thence by descent.
Dr. Maeder, a Swiss lawyer by profession, was also a published author with broad intellectual interests encompassing travel and Japanese art. He formed the greater part of his collection during the 1930s–1950s.