Indus Valley Large Stamp Seal with Bird-Headed Figure

Indus Valley Large Stamp Seal with Bird-Headed Figure
23rd-20th century BC
A bronze discoid seal with flange rim, loop handle, openwork image of a bird-headed figure flanked by opposed birds, outline to the underside, accompanied by a typed and signed note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 85 x 95 x 28mm. 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 part open-work, consists of a standing creature with body and arms like a man, but long feathers covering the body from waist down, and wings spread from the chest, and the head is somewhat human, but has a bird's beak for a nose. On each side there is a bird perching on the covered legs with wings a little raised and the head reaching to the central creature's wings. The whole is surrounded by a plain outer band. The design is given in outline in the compartments, but is engraved in more detail on the back. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is both a very large piece, and extremely rare, perhaps unique, for its design. It is also in very good condition. The outer rim is a little dented in places and a short strip is lost, but the engraved back is in fine condition. An important piece.' 138 grams, 85mm (3 1/2"). Fine condition.
Provenance
The Signo collection, the property of a West London businessman, formed in the late 1980s-early 1990s; collection number U-431; academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s.