An XL Nishapur ceramic plate or dish. The vessel has white underglaze with calligraphic inscriptions in black and red. Bowls and plates including bold inscriptions in the  More »

An XL Nishapur ceramic plate or dish. The vessel has white underglaze with calligraphic inscriptions in black and red. Bowls and plates including bold inscriptions in the so-called kufic angular calligraphy were produced in the important ceramic centers of Nishapur in eastern Iran. The text often contains a proverb in Arabic or a series of wishes. The plate measures 27,5 cm across / 10,8 inches. Condition: Choice - some restauration to the glaze but good for type and period.   « Less

A rare superbly engraved stamp seal, Mesopotamia, Halaf/Ubaid Period, c. 5000-3500 BC. A massive 11 mm. thick and 22 mm. wide stamp seal, pieced for suspension and  More »

A rare superbly engraved stamp seal, Mesopotamia, Halaf/Ubaid Period, c. 5000-3500 BC. A massive 11 mm. thick and 22 mm. wide stamp seal, pieced for suspension and beautyfully engraved with great symethri and in high relief in black steatite. The typical geomethric design of the period, but in this case better and deeper engraving and superb condition in a fine stone Extremely early seal and very rare in this quality! Ex. Erik K. Rasmussen, published in 'The cylinder seal as an object d'art' 2010.   « Less

An outstanding condition ceramic bowl with brown - almost black - decoration on a creamy white background, dating 9th-10th. cent. A.D. Ceramic bowl, Earthenware, engobe,  More »

An outstanding condition ceramic bowl with brown - almost black - decoration on a creamy white background, dating 9th-10th. cent. A.D. Ceramic bowl, Earthenware, engobe, underglaze slip-painted. The glaze is complete. Bowls including bold black inscriptions in the so-called kufic angular calligraphy were produced in the important ceramic centers of Nishapur in eastern Iran. The text often contains a proverb in Arabic or a series of wishes. This bowl, which was used to serve food, is one of the most accomplished works of the type, with artistic stylized calligraphy. The bowl represents the first revival of the traditional art due to the rise of the native Islamic dynasty of the Samanids. A most important bowl that shows the true glory of the simple artful style that owes much to the Sassanian art and to the earlier cultures of the Iran. Size: 220 mm. wide and c. 84 mm. high. Condition: Superb! Looks completely unrestored, much original surface, even the backside of the bowl is with original glace. A remarkable piece!   « Less

A superbly engraved large bronze tray, Seljuks dating to the 10-12th. cent AD. From the very beginning of the Seljuk period. A rectangular bronze tray, engraved in the  More »

A superbly engraved large bronze tray, Seljuks dating to the 10-12th. cent AD. From the very beginning of the Seljuk period. A rectangular bronze tray, engraved in the interiour with a pair of human-headed lions seated, confronting each other in a floral garden or wood. Exceptional quality engraving, the best we've ever handled! The tray measure nearly 31 x 18 cm. Condition: Complete, but with several repaired cracks. Wonderful vivid blue-green patina with mineral and organic encrustations on the reverse.   « Less

A very large and outstanding quality bronze phiale, Achaemenid Empire c. 600-330 BC. The type is typical for the classical Greek-Persian period and was perhaps invented by  More »

A very large and outstanding quality bronze phiale, Achaemenid Empire c. 600-330 BC. The type is typical for the classical Greek-Persian period and was perhaps invented by the Persian culture and further developed by the greeks. An elaborately designed bowl, hammered bronze, a large omphallos in the center and an open rim best I've had of the Persian/greek main type. Size: 150 mm. wide and c. 70 mm. high, so a deep/high bowl of the type. Condition: Superb!! The patina is an even dark green and chestnut brown with real gloss.   « Less

A fine Old babylonian or Assyrian cylinder seal in black hematite, dating to 2000-1600 BC. Southern mesopotamian type from the socalled Isin-Larsa period. A deity is handing  More »

A fine Old babylonian or Assyrian cylinder seal in black hematite, dating to 2000-1600 BC. Southern mesopotamian type from the socalled Isin-Larsa period. A deity is handing over an object to another figure, where a 2nd. deity is standing behind. In the fields spacefilling objects, among which is a star, an animal and a bird. Condition: Superb. Exceptional quality like all seals from the collection! Ex Swedish private collection - purchased during the 1950s at Viktoria Lindströms Antikhandel, Stockholm. Her business card in the collection together with notes. Ex late 19th. century collection, note the old costum made brass mount with collection number (letter) hand-chiselled.   « Less

A rare and beautiful painted ceramic Jug, Nishapur of Kashan in Iran, 10th.-11th. cent. AD. The vessel is c. 173 mm. high with a low slung globular body, a large handle in  More »

A rare and beautiful painted ceramic Jug, Nishapur of Kashan in Iran, 10th.-11th. cent. AD. The vessel is c. 173 mm. high with a low slung globular body, a large handle in the side and a wide, open rim. It's decorated with fine calligraphy and colours of black and green on a white background. Condition: Superb! Some possible and in any case very minor restoring as always with early Islamic pottery, but much original surface and a condition rarity as such.   « Less

A splendid bronze bowl in the form of a drinking cup or beaker, Indus Valley, Nal Culture, Baluchistan (North-East Iran & Pakistan). c.3000 – 2500 BC. Extremely early  More »

A splendid bronze bowl in the form of a drinking cup or beaker, Indus Valley, Nal Culture, Baluchistan (North-East Iran & Pakistan). c.3000 – 2500 BC. Extremely early and still advanced bronze art which combines Indus Valley elements with Iranian stylistic elements The bronze cup is c. 90 mm. wide over base and c. 65 mm. high. Wonderful shape with a high footring. Condition: Choice! Exceptional sound metal with a vivid patina!   « Less

A splendid bronze bowl in the form of a drinking cup or beaker, Indus Valley, Nal Culture, Baluchistan (North-East Iran & Pakistan). c.3000 – 2500 BC. Extremely early  More »

A splendid bronze bowl in the form of a drinking cup or beaker, Indus Valley, Nal Culture, Baluchistan (North-East Iran & Pakistan). c.3000 – 2500 BC. Extremely early and still advanced bronze art which combines Indus Valley elements with Iranian stylistic elements The bronze cup is c. 90 mm. wide over base and c. 65 mm. high. Wonderful shape with a high footring. Condition: Choice! Exceptional sound metal with a vivid patina!   « Less

Superb ceramic ceramic bowl with black cufic caligraphy on creamy glaze, dating 9th-10th. cent. A.D. in the center a bird. Ceramic bowl, Earthenware, engobe, underglaze  More »

Superb ceramic ceramic bowl with black cufic caligraphy on creamy glaze, dating 9th-10th. cent. A.D. in the center a bird. Ceramic bowl, Earthenware, engobe, underglaze slip-painted. Bowls including bold black inscriptions in the so-called kufic angular calligraphy were produced in the important ceramic centers of Nishapur in eastern Iran. The text often contains a proverb in Arabic or a series of wishes. This bowl is decorated with artistic calligraphy. The bowl represents the first revival of the traditional art due to the rise of the native Islamic dynasty of the Samanids. A nicer bowl that shows the true glory of the simple artful style that owes much to the Sassanian art and to the earlier cultures of the Iran. Size: 198 mm. wide and c. 83 mm. high. Condition: Choice!, some light professional restoration. Fully crackled original glace on both sides of this nice bowl!   « Less