Auction Highlights
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Greek Marble Head of Dionysus
Sold for (Inc. bp): £23,400
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. -
Greek Marble Head of a Ruler
Sold for (Inc. bp): £31,200
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. -
Roman Veined Marble Torso of an Athlete
Sold for (Inc. bp): £48,100
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. -
Large Middle Elamite Cylinder Seal of Kidnu, Chief Overseer of King Tan-Ruhurater II
Sold for (Inc. bp): £15,600
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. -
Mesopotamian Torch Bearer Stand with Lion Tamer
Sold for (Inc. bp): £46,800
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.
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Western Asiatic Silver Magical Scroll with Greek Inscription
Circa 2nd-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
Sheet-silver rectangle with lightly incised enigmatic Greek-script text in nine lines. 1.58 grams, 41 mm
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. -
Cylinder Seal Group
Circa 2300-2200 B.C. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £286
Comprising: an Akkadian example with a heroic scene carved in shell, accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder Seal of White Marble, 18 x 10 mm. The design shows hero in the middle, succouring on either side a domestic quadruped on its hind legs, each being attacked by a lion. This is an Akkadian seal from Mesopotamia or West Iran, c. 2300-2200 B.C. The surface is somewhat worn.'; a haematite seal engraved with a walking dog or wolf with three stars above, rosette to the back; a carnelian seal engraved with a group of worshippers wearing long robes and Median caps, tree motif to the back. 7.62 grams total, 13-18 mm
The first property of a London gentleman; part of his family collection since the 1970s. Academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the 1980s. The other examples the property of a London gentleman; acquired before 1995. From a collection acquired from various auction houses in the UK. From the estate of Mr R.W., a private Wiltshire, UK, collector; thence by descent. Accompanied by a original typed and signed scholarly note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993. -
Sassanian Carnelian Eagle Gemstone
Circa 3rd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Eagle standing with wings folded, neck extended; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.46 grams, 10 mm
From the collection of a Swiss gentleman formed in Europe from 1970-1980s; thence by descent from the family in London. -
Western Asiatic Gold Bead Collection
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £585
Including granulated collar, granulated tube and other types, with some later beads. 9.77 grams total, 2-9 mm
Ex property of a late Japanese collector, 1970s. -
Mesopotamian Stone Cylinder Seal with Contest Scene
2500-2300 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
The scene engraved in a single register, comprising three heroes upending two lions, a rearing stag behind one of the heroes; accompanied by a museum-quality impression; old collection sticker '120' to one end. 7.33 grams, 23 mm
Cotswold, UK, collection. Property of a North London, UK, gentleman. Accompanied by a typed and signed note by the late Professor W.G. Lambert, numbered 120. Accompanied by an old collection ticket. -
Western Asiatic Gold Pendant with Beads
1st millennium B.C. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £117
Comprising facetted carnelian and other beads in a gold setting with granulated collars; a marriage with wire loop to each end. 2.90 grams, 32 mm
Ex property of a late Japanese collector, 1970s. -
Mesopotamian Cuneiform Tablet
2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Pillow-shaped clay tablet with cuneiform text to both broad faces and one edge; repaired. 123 grams, 63 mm
Specialised collection of cuneiform texts, the property of a London gentleman and housed in London before 1992. Thence by descent to family members. Examined by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert FBA (1926-2011), historian, archaeologist, and specialist in Assyriology and Near Eastern archaeology, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This small collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples. -
Western Asiatic Glass Bottle
Circa 10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Elliptical in section with dimple base, columnar neck. 18 grams, 55 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Western Asiatic Silver Ring with Animal
Circa 2nd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
With a wide hoop supporting a lentoid bezel, intaglio design of a running quadruped with long ear or horn projecting from the head and legs spread out beneath the body. 2.94 grams, 20.18 mm overall, 18.03 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)
UK private collection before 2000. On the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Bracelet Pair
Circa 1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Comprising two penannular bracelets with ribbed bodies expanding at the centre. 40.2 grams total, 55 mm each
UK private collection before 2000. On the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman. -
Abbasid Miniature Glass Perfume Vessel
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Bulbous body with incuse crescents, flared neck; iridescent surface. 7.6 grams, 29 mm
From a 1980s UK collection. Property of an London antiquarian. -
Mesopotamian Alabaster Disc Bead Necklace String
Circa 4th millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £364
Composed of restrung discoid beads. 29 grams, 45 cm long
UK gallery, early 2000s.