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.

Restrung designer necklace with oblate, fusiform and irregular beads in agate, carnelian and other materials. 35.8 grams, 34.5 cm



Acquired on the London, UK, art market in the 1990s. Ex London, UK, gallery.

With rectangular panel for the body, short neck and two large eyes above each with a socket to accept an insert. 1.5 grams, 19 mm



From the collection of Doctor Girard, a collector for over 60 years. with Hotel des Ventes de Clermont-Ferrand, 22 May 2017. Property of a French collector.

With biconvex body and tall tubular neck, integral ribbed collars; ferrous pin in situ. 274 grams, 96 mm



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

Comprising four pins with conical finials, a looped pin, and a section of a pin with flared finial. 34.5 grams total, 52-80 mm



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

With bell-shaped carinated bowl, short stem and stepped flared base; running scroll decoration to the shoulder and body. 530 grams, 13.5 cm



Ex London, UK, gallery, 1980s. From a UK private collection.

The top section of a foundation cone from the reign of Ur-Nammu, with domed face, the side inscribed with columns of cuneiform text; from the Ziggurat at Ur, in the Third Dynasty. 108 grams, 48 mm



Previously from the estate of a West Sussex, UK, collector. 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.

Votive cones are one type of royal foundation deposit, objects that were buried in the walls and beneath the floors of important buildings during construction to sanctify the site and to create a historical memory of the ruler and his achievements. Among Ur-Nammu‘s military exploits were the conquest of Lagash and the defeat of his former masters at Uruk. He was also responsible for ordering the construction of a number of ziggurats, including the Great Ziggurat of Ur. He was killed in a battle against the Gutians after he had been abandoned by his army.

Modelled in the round, seated on a tongue-shaped base, loop to the back. 10.9 grams, 21 mm



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

Comprising three openwork pendants with central cross motifs, applied pellets throughout. 61.2 grams total, 48-51 mm



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

Black stone with a seated female deity wearing long robes and horned cap and holding a sceptre in outstretched hand, crescent moon above; in front a Janus headed deity with one face human, the other a lion, wearing a horned cap and long robes, hand upraised and holding an offering, the other hand holding that of a male worshipper in long robes, hand held in front of mouth; rectangular panel with two columns of cuneiform text. 19.7 grams, 29 mm



From the Rihani family collection, formed 1970-1980s. 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.

With frieze of advancing figures. 26.3 grams, 32 mm



Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector, collection number 063. London collection, 2016.

The hoop with angled shoulders, raised oval bezel set with a glass cabochon, pellet to edge of the bezel. 8.28 grams, 28.21 mm overall, 17.58 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)



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

Agate cylinder with intaglio figural scenes; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 2.70 grams, 19 mm



Acquired Paris, France, in 1983. From the personal collection of a West London, UK, gentleman.