Minoan Red Jasper Seal Depicting a Lion Attacking a Bull

Late Helladic, circa 1400-1300 B.C. or later. Of lentoid form with domed reverse, showing a lion attacking a bull from above with its jaws and claws sunken into the bulls hindquarters, the bull shown standing with its head turned towards the lion in the act of trying to pry it off with its long horns; pierced horizontally. See similar seals in Betts, J.F., Corpus der Minoischen und Mykenischen Siegel, Band X, Die Schweizer Sammlungen, Berlin, 1980, no.218, p.193; Boardman, J., Greek Gems and Finger Rings, Early Bronze Age to Late Classical, London, 1970 (2001), nos.86 [lion attacking a goat also in red jasper], 138, 159 [agate lentoid],169 [lion attacking bull, from Mycenae],172, 182 for Minoan gems with similar scenes; see a lioness attacking a bull, in Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, lentoid shape seal (about 1470-1410 B.C.), accession no.23.576. John H. Betts, Corpus der Minoischen und Mykenischen Siegel, Band X, Die Schweizer Sammlungen, (Berlin 1980) 194, cat. nr. 219, doubted by the author. 7.45 grams, 26 mm (1 in.). (For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price.)

With Münzen und Medaillen A.G., Basel, prior 1980. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12465-228767.