Late 3rd-early 2nd millennium BC. A mixed group of bronze stamp seals, some accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: (T-961) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 49 x 49 x 13 mm. This is round, with flat face and flat back, on which is mounted a handle of inverted U-shape. The design, which is both compartmented and open-work, consists of a simple cross each bar of which is joined to an outer band by a crescent-shaped strut. The remaining space of each quarter is filled with a small rectangle at the centre joined to the outer band by a 'petal'. The outer band is plain but divided into eight segments by short strokes. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. The outer rim is dented, and there is damage to one of the four quarters, but generally the piece is in good condition, the metal being sound.'; (T-166) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 49 x 48 x 18 mm. This is round with flat face and flat back, on which is mounted a handle of inverted V-shape. The design, which is both compartmented and open-work, is a pattern. It consists of a wheel-like structure within an outer band. A simple cross divided the circle into four quarters and each quarter is filled with a shape which begins in the centre as an incomplete square then opens up to an irregular oblong. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. The metal is in very good condition, and the whole is also in good condition save for denting of the outer rim.'; (T-14) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 60 x 58 x 16 mm. This is round, with scalloped outer edge, with flat face and flat back on which is mounted a handle with angular shape, pierced for suspension. The design is compartmented and open-work. It consists of a central rosette or star, with inner circle and six 'rays' radiating from it to the outer band with scalloped rim. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is generally in good condition. The incrustation on the surface could be removed.'; (R-523) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 44 x 44 x 19 mm. This is roughly round, with flat face and flat back, on which a handle of inverted V-shape is mounted. The design is compartmented and open-work. It consists of a central Greek cross, each end of each arm of which is connected to the outer rim by two rectangles. The vacant quarters were then filled with a triangle on the outer edge, an L-shape beneath it, and two rectangles on the outer edges of the L shape. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is in good condition and is a fine example of its kind.'; (U-156) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 52 x 51 x 20 mm. This is round, with flat face and flat back, on which is mounted a handle of inverted U-shape. The design, which is both compartmented and open-work, consists of a plain outer band, and the area inside is divided into two halves by a further plain band. Each half is filled with two motifs which may be stylized tulip blooms.This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. One of the 'tulips' is broken, otherwise the piece is in good condition, and the metal sound.'; (R-452) 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 53 x 52 x 15 mm. This is roughly square with indented corners, with flat face and flat back, on which is mounted a handle of inverted V-shape. The design is both compartmented and open-work. It is a kind of rosette with two oblongs in the centre, oblongs reaching from them to the edge, four 'petals' from the tips of the two oblongs in the centre reaching a wavey [sic] outer edge, and semicircles joining the outer of the four oblongs and the wavey edge. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. The metal has been conserved and the whole piece is in good condition.' 290 grams total, 37-59mm (1 1/2 - 2 1/2"). The Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s. [10]

Fine condition.