Tabular seal with large suspension hole; bifacial design comprising (A) a large winged creature with textured surface above two running gazelles; (B) a lion pouncing on a smaller quadruped. 19.7 grams, 33 mm

Acquired 1969-1999.
From the private collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK, thence by descent.

Accompanied by a copy of a report by Dr Habil, Pieter Gert van der Veen, Head of the Biblical Archaeology study form (ABA) der Studiengemeinschaft Wort und Wissen e.V.

Accompanying note dates the seal to Iron Age II (9th-8th century B.C.)

Displaying a winged god standing left battling a winged quadruped, a large winged insect in the field above; drilled vertically for suspension; chipped; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 26.6 grams, 45 mm

From the 'S' collection, London, UK, 1970-1990s.

Examined by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert FBA (1926-2011), historian, archaeologist, and specialist in Assyriology and Near Eastern archaeology in the 1980s.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.202963.

Displaying an incuse frieze depicting a Master of Animals gripping bulls; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 3.24 grams, 1.5 cm

Ex private collection, 1965-2020.

Drilled vertically for suspension; accompanied by a typed and signed scholarly note issued by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder seal of red stone, 16 x 16 mm. Frieze of four women squatting on mats, each holding a jar with neck. Mesopotamian, c.3000 B.C. Good condition.'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 7.3 grams, 16 mm

From the 'S' collection, London, UK, 1970-1990s.

Accompanied by a scholarly note by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert FBA (1926-2011), historian, archaeologist, and specialist in Assyriology and Near Eastern archaeology.

Cf. The Metropolitan Museum, New York, accession number 1985.143, for similar.

Each discoid in plan with decoratively notched circumference, ogival centre with pierced ornament, concentric bands of incised annulets, chevrons and other geometric forms; each accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 1.03 kg total, 20-20.5 cm wide (1.5 kg total, 30.5 cm high each including stand)

Acquired 1960s-1970s.
From a UK private collection, 1981.

The walls tapering slightly towards the base, displaying wheel-cut ovals running in registers around the body, slightly everted rim; iridescent surfaces. 239 grams, 12 cm

Ex Belgian collection, 1980s.

Cf. The British Museum, museum number 135304, for similar; cf. Corning Museum of Glass, accession numbers 70.1.9 and 54.1.119, for similar.

Of hemispherical form, decorated with four tiers of wheel-cut oval-shaped dimples. 269 grams, 10.4 cm wide

Acquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.

Cf. The Metropolitan Museum, accession number 59.34, for similar.

Displaying two repoussé registers of animals including lions, antelope and birds processing right between geometric borders, stylised flower heads to one terminal; attachment perforations to upper and lower edges; one rounded terminal, one terminating with a narrow arm and D-shaped lug; mounted on an adjustable custom-made display stand. 6.4 kg total, 35 cm high including standsome restoration.

UK private collection before 2000.
UK art market.
Property of a London gentleman.

Accompanied by an academic report by 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.11745-202242.

Cf. Есаян, С. А., ‘Погребения VI-V вв. до н. э. в горах Шамшадина’ (Esayan, S.A., Burials of the VI-V centuries BCE in the mountains of Shamshadin) in СА, 1965, 3, pp.229-232; Born H., Seidl U., Schutzwaffen aus Assyrien und Urartu, Sammlung Axel Guttmann IV, Mainz, 1995, AG427, fig.93, AG502 fig.128; see Gorelik, M., Weapons of the Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg, 2003.

Protective belts were very popular in the Caucasus, especially among the Urartians, decorated with geometric motifs, or with images of warriors, animals, hunting and mythological tales. They were regarded as a personal item and eventually buried with the warrior.

Comprising two belt sections, each perforated around the edges for attachment: one with a repoussé display of alternating lions leaping towards warriors on horseback, leaping horned bulls and archers standing in horse-drawn war chariot; one fragment with articulate loop; the other folding over on itself, with repoussé display of helmetted warriors on horseback, alternating with warriors driving horse-drawn chariots; Urartian or Assyrian. 845 grams total, 30.5-35 cm

Ex Axel Guttmann collection, with reference no.AG R 244.

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.11760-203204.

Cf. Esayan, S.A., 'Gürtelbleche der Älteren Eisenzeit in Armenien' in Beiträge zur allgemeinen und vergleichenden Archäologie, vol.6, pp.97-198, pls. 8 & 25, nos.25 and 26 (belts from Golovino); Born H., Seidl U., Schutzwaffen aus Assyrien und Urartu, Sammlung Axel Guttmann IV, Mainz, 1995, nos.AG502, pp.83-84, figs.73-75, and pp.100-102, figs.89-93, pp.158ff., figs.124, 127-128; Christie’s,The Art of Warfare, the Axel Guttmann collection, Part I, Wednesday 6 November 2002, London, 2001, nos.13, pp.20-21, no.26, p.28; Gorelik, M.,Weapons of the Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg (2003), pl.LXI, nn.88-89-90; Christie’s,The art of the warfare, the Axel Guttmann collection, Part II, Wednesday 28 April 2004, London, 2004, nos.47, pp.40-41; cf. also the Metropolitan Museum, New York, accession number 1976.5, for similar imagery on a copper-alloy plaque and accession number 1989.281.18, for an Urartian belt of similar form and design.

With lateral seams, attachment holes to lower edge, bowl with tall conical peak; mounted on a custom-made stand. 3.5 kg total, 55.5 cm high including stand

Acquired on the UK art market.
From a private collection, 1980s.
Ex central London gallery.
The Kusmirek Collection, UK.

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.11765-203977.

Cf. Born, H., Seidl, U., Schutzwaffen aus Assyrien und Urartu, Sammlung Axel Guttmann, Mainz, 1995, pl.VI, VII, XIII-XV, and pp.134-149, for a near identical helmet in the Guttmann collection (AG204).

From the reign of King Tiglatpilesar III (744-727 B.C.) or possibly later. The army of the Neo-Assyrian Empire consisted of large units of cavalry and skilled archers. Mobile workshops and smiths produced vast quantities of arrows and spears that were required while on campaign. The royal palaces of Nineveh, Ashur, and Nimrud were adorned with reliefs depicting Neo-Assyrian troops including foot soldiers in similar pointed bronze helmets. The helmet was originally bimetallic, made of bronze and iron. Although the iron section is now preserved only in fragments, having deteriorated long ago; the bronze half remains.

Displaying a corrugated rim above and below; two advancing soldiers, each striding forwards over the headless body of a dead enemy, carrying a severed head in each hand; the soldiers shown bearded and each wearing a pointed and segmented helmet with a recess to accommodate the ears, a cuirass and thigh-length tunic, with a bow over one shoulder and a sword slung from a waist belt; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 72 grams, 10.8 cm wide (277 grams total, 11 cm high including stand)

Ex S. Moussieff collection, London, UK.
Acquired from C.J. Martin (Coins) Ltd.

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 no.203209.

Battle-scenes - and especially images where the Assyrians overrun their enemies and achieve outright victory - appear to make up a large part of 'official' art of the period. Subjecting a defeated foe to torture and death is the theme of much of the wall-decoration of the palace of Nineveh. A battle-scene depicting the siege of a walled city shows similarly equipped infantrymen; it is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, under accession no.55.121.4a, b.

Composed of a massive triangular blade with a slightly raised mid-rib flanked by three parallel rows on each side, the guard formed with a pronounced trident shape, ornamented with small geometric square recesses, the hilt with square-section grip incised with four vertical rows of similar square recesses, double broad crescentic open pommel surmounted by a broad raised median rib which links the double crescentic halves; repaired. 911 grams, 53 cmOne horn cracked and repaired

Acquired 1970s-1980s.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Moorey, analysing similar swords found in Amarlu, stated that the blade and tang were made first, forged to shape by hammering at a high temperature. The next step was to cover the tang with a clayed material. Once dry, this material formed the core for the casting. Then a hollow mould of the exact shape of the shoulder, grooved hilt and pommel was made around the clay core covering the tang. Finally, liquid metal was poured into the mould. The weapon was then finished by hammering the pommel and shoulder to the hilt.