Sale: CNG 72, Lot: 2753. Estimate $2500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 14 June 2006.  Sold For $1500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

[Jewelry and Ornaments] PERSIA, Gold camel figurine. Sasanian period? Circa 3rd-6th century AD. Length 23mm, weight 14.09 g. Three dimensional cast and chased gold amulet, of two harnessed Arabian camels crouched tête-beche. Hollow cavity between the humps, pierced horizontally between the forelegs of the camels. Choice condition. Rare and enigmatic.

The camel was one of the last draft animals to be domesticated, probably in the 3rd millennium BC, but their appearance in ancient art is sparse. There do not seem to be any direct published parallels with this small gold amulet, but the familiar and naturalistic rendering of the beasts does suggest Persian manufacture, possibly in the Sasanian period. Its function is also not clear. The cavity might have held a precious stone, now missing, and the holes may have been for wearing. It also might have been attached to a larger object, with pins through the holes to keep it in place. A remarkable piece of ancient art, worthy of further research.