Lot 51
AKKADIAN SERPENTINE CYLINDER SEAL, ACQUIRED EARLY 20TH CENTURY
NEAR EAST, C. 2350 - 2150 B.C.
Ancient, African & Oceanic Art and Natural History
Auction: 08 July 2026 at 14:00 BST
Description
carved and polished in dark serpentine, centrally perforated for suspension, the composition, now partially worn, depicts two confronting combat scenes, on one side, a nude, bearded hero is shown seizing a mouflon by the horns, on the opposing side, a beardless figure likewise restrains a mouflon while turning his head back towards the bearded figure, between the two stands a third figure
Dimensions
2.5cm tall
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.
Footnote
For a similar combat scene on a Akkadian cylinder seal, please see: The Walters Art Museum, United States, accession number 42.674