Ca. 2000 - 1000 BC.
An ancient Near Eastern lapis lazuli amulet in the shape of a recumbent bull, with incised striations beneath its body. The bull has a raised head and drilled eye sockets that perhaps once held inlaid ornamentation. In ancient Mesopotamia, lapis lazuli was highly prized and used extensively in jewellery, amulets, seals, and other decorative objects. Its deep blue color symbolised the heavens and was associated with the divine. Lapis lazuli was often carved into cylinder seals, which were used as personal signatures, impressed onto clay to seal documents and containers.
Size: 20mm x 15mm; Weight: 5g
Provenance: Prince collection, 1990s-2014, acquired in 2008 from a UK private collection formed in the 1970s to 1990s. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.