Carved in the half-round in three-quarter view, youthful male head with stern features, hair gathered in a browband, horns to the brow; from a frieze or relief; mounted on a custom-made stand.

Carved in the round with thick wreath of laurel leaves to the brow, short tousled hair, stern face with thick jaw; mounted on a custom-made stand.

Standing contrapposto with his weight on his right leg and the left leg brought slightly forward; the musculature of the torso displaying well-defined pectoral muscles, prominent abdominal muscles and wide shoulders, the back with equally toned musculature and well-formed rounded buttocks; the veining of the marble accentuating the idealised anatomy; the now-absent head was most probably turned towards the supporting leg and the left arm would have been raised; mounted on a custom-made display stand.

A high-status green chalcedony seal with frieze depicting a seated figure in horned headdress facing a standing figure with arms outstretched, small monkey to the legs; six columns of Akkadian cuneiform text transliterated as: 1. ki-di-nu UGULA KUŠ-MEŠ 2. GAL šà tan-dru-hu- 3. ra-te-er EŠŠANA šu-ši 4. u an-za-an ARAD 5. šà dha-te-ri-iš 6. šak(?) ì-lí-šu 'Kidinu, chief overseer of the equerries(?) of Tan-Ruhurater, King of Susa and Anzan, servant of Haterishshak, his god'. The seal's owner was an official of King Tan-Ruhurater II (circa 1450 B.C.), king of Susa and Anzan. The title used to describe Kidinu is sometimes translated 'high official', elsewhere 'horse groom' or 'animal trainer'; the Elamite deity Haterish is otherwise unknown.

A substantial torch bearer depicting a male lion or panther standing with legs firmly planted on a rectangular base, tail extending to the ground, with a massive circular shaped armature or candelabra issuing from its back and wearing an elaborate muzzle, the eyes retaining shell inlay with a circular hollow for the pupils; to the right of the beast a kneeling nude male wearing a large belt-armour and a diadem, eyes inlaid, left hand extended to the side and holding the lion's leash.

Hemispherical mortar with rounded rim and underside, reserved locust motifs carved in high-relief beneath the rim. 890 grams, 14 cm wide



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Modelled in the round with luxuriant flowing hair, large lentoid eyes with inlaid black irises, small slit mouth; some encrustation; mounted on a custom-made stand. 523 grams total, 13 cm high including stand



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Barrel-shaped with broad central hole; engraved to the outer face with a 'Gayomard' figure holding spears in his extended hands; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 23.5 grams, 30 mm



with Christie's, London, 21 April 1999, no.11. From the 'Empire' collection, an important UK private collection of seals, no.19 Accompanied by a copy of an old typed cataloguing page signed by A D H Bivar. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12127-217086.

Plano-convex seal with transverse piercing; underside with three figures advancing to the right, one with a staff; scorpion and quadruped in the field, three Pahlavi characters; to the outer face, enigmatic Pahlavi inscription and animals; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 10.7 grams, 24 mm



Acquired between 1980-1983. From the 'Empire' collection, an important UK private collection of seals, collection no.11. Accompanied by a copy of a typed and signed scholarly note by A D H Bivar.

Plano-convex pierced seal with advancing winged horse, Pahlavi inscription 'l'sty rast' ('just'); supplied with a museum-quality impression. 8.1 grams, 20 mm



Acquired between 1980-1983. From the 'Empire' collection, an important UK private collection of seals, collection no.16. Accompanied by a copy of a typed and signed scholarly note by A D H Bivar.

Translucent with a roughly U-shaped cross-section, graduated decorative wheel-cut facets composed of larger circles to the base, followed by smaller ovals, lozenges and fan-shapes towards the neck. 185 grams, 91 mm



London art market, 1986. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.11887-206403.

A bowl of this type, produced in Sassanian Persia, is displayed in the Shosoin shrine in Nara, Japan, an evidence of early trade links between Persia and East Asia.

Conical opaque glass with decorative wheel-cut facets. 150 grams, 11.8 cm wide



From the estate of a late gentleman, 1988. Ex UK collection.

Rectangular tapestry panel with repeating designs of a circular border with reserved hexagons enclosing the head and neck of an advancing horse in profile, opposed pairs of ducks with curled wings; mounted on a wooden-framed fabric backing. 365 grams, 34.6 x 25.6 cm



Acquired from Esther Fitzgerald Rare Textiles, London, UK. Property of a North American gallery.

Substantial ring with D-section hoop, tiered bezel with inset 4th-5th century A.D. carnelian gemstone, intaglio of a gryphon in flight. 15.87 grams, 33.98 mm overall, 18.34 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17)



Acquired from a New York private collection, in the early 1990s. Accompanied by a copy of a previous illustrated catalogue information page.

Lozenge-shaped and of box construction, the central field set with nine garnets within raised frames set, the base with wire and chain work, the four corners set with facetted spherical terminals, four suspension loops between each terminal. 11.3 grams, 59 mm



From a private family collection formed in the 1970s.

Restrung group of spherical amethyst beads with gold tubular and acorn beads, centrepiece a square-section hatched gold bar with ribbed bulb finials. 33.61 grams, 53 cm



From the property of late Mr SM, London, UK, 1969-1999.

Comprising a slender hoop with baluster detailing to the shoulders, box bezel of six radiating points with seed pearls between, concentric bands of filigree surrounding the central cell with turquoise-coloured glass cabochon; replaced seed pearls on modern wire. 6.77 grams, 29.16 mm overall, 20.13 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T 1/2, USA 9 3/4, Europe 21.89, Japan 21)



Private USA collection. Acquired from the Alexander Gallery, New York, USA, in the early 2000s.