Pillow-shaped with cuneiform text to both broad faces, both short and one long edge. 61 grams, 60 mm

From the private collection of the late Dr D.G., 1990s.

Cf. cuneiform text from Babylon now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, under accession no.86.11.282.

Fragment of a rectangular ceramic brick with remains of six columns of cuneiform text with broad margins. 1 kg, 18 cm

From the K.H. Wilson collection, Basildon, UK, before 1991.
Property of a Cambridgeshire, UK, gentleman.

Accompanied by an information sheet, translation, and original signed letter from Dr I L Finkel at the British Museum dated 18 March 1991.

Cf. cuneiform text relating to Nebuchadnezzar II and the restorations at Babylon on a terracotta cylinder from Babylon and now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, under accession no.86.11.282.

The construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the destruction of Jerusalem's temple are ascribed to Nebuchadnezzar II. He is featured in the Book of Daniel and is mentioned in several other books of the Bible.

A rectangular section with fourteen columns of cuneiform text mentioning the foundation of a temple by Nebuchadnezzar II, translating as 'King of Babylon provisioner of Esagil and Ezida prime son of Nabopolassar, King of Babylon and Ebabbara, the temple of Shamash in Larsa..[...]'; mounted in a custom-made velvet lined display frame. 1.5 kg, 31 x 41.2 cm

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.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12340-214698.

Cf. cuneiform text relating to Nebuchadnezzar II and the restorations at Babylon on a terracotta cylinder from Babylon and now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, under accession no.86.11.282.

The construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the destruction of Jerusalem's temple are ascribed to Nebuchadnezzar II. He is featured in the Book of Daniel and is mentioned in several other books of the Bible.

Frieze of kneeling female figures with braided hair, each supporting an item on a raised hand: a chalice, a loaf(?) and a flame; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 14 grams, 28 mm

Ex S. collection, London, UK, 1980s-2000s.

With frieze of animals; accompanied by a museum-quality impression and typed and signed scholarly note issued by W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder seal of white marble, 34x21mm. Four vertical rows of three animals each, largely done with the drill. Mesopotamian, c.3200 B.C. Condition fair.' 28 grams, 34 mm

Ex S. collection, London, UK, 1980s-2000s.

Accompanied by an original typed and signed scholarly note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993.

Featuring three vertical grooves separating the seal into three separate panels, each drilled with a female figure seated beside pots; drilled vertically for suspension. 15.7 grams, 22 mm

From an important London, UK, collection, 1970-1990.
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.

With frieze depicting a throne-room scene, seated king in tiered robe confronted by two robed supplicants with an altar and idol, two columns of cuneiform text; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 42 grams, 38 mm

From the 'S' collection, acquired 1970-1990s.
The collection was seen and studied by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12245-222160.

Cf. Teissier, B., Ancient Near Eastern Cylinder Seals in the Marcopoli Collection, Berkeley, 1984, item 104, for type.

Frieze depicting a standing winged genie facing with conical cap, both arms flexed holding up the hindlegs of two horses; two bands of ring-and-dot motifs framing a tree-of-life motif flanked by a facing figure of Nergal resting one foot on a crouching stag; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 4.7 grams, 23 mm

Ex S. collection, London, UK, 1980s-2000s.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12247-222298.

With design in two registers framed by three bands of parallel horizontal lines; upper register, undulating bands; lower register, bird with wings spread flanked by addorsed ibexes; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 43 grams, 51 mm

Ex S. collection, London, UK, 1980s-2000s.

With incuse design in two rows; accompanied by a museum-quality impression and typed and signed scholarly note issued by W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder Seal of Fossil Shell, 38x10 mm. The design is a pattern in two identical but staggered registers. In each there are two alternating motifs: the one a simple cross with horizontal and diagonal cuts around it, the other more like a flying insect also with supporting cuts. From Mesopotamia, c. 3000 B.C. Condition good.' 6.6 grams, 38 mm

Ex S. collection, London, UK, 1980s-2000s.

Accompanied by an original type and signed scholarly note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993.

Frieze with two full-length standing figures in ankle-length robes each holding a feather towards a pillar with sun-disc above, crouching human worshipper to one side, labrys to the other; scene in two registers with guilloche border between, gryphon above with one foreleg raised, ibex below, crouching with tail raised; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 14 grams, 31 mm

From the 'S' collection, acquired 1970-1990s.
The collection was seen and studied by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12248-222164.

With frieze depicting a worshipper and a goddess both facing an enthroned king holding a cup in one hand, sun-disc and crescent above; the king wearing a cap and tiered robe, the throne raised on a dais and covered with a fringed cloth; the worshipper youthful with hands clasped before his chest, wearing a floor-length garment over his shoulder; the goddess wearing a tiered headdress and flounced floor-length robe, with hands raised in salutation; two pairs of smaller figures, one with a toothed weapon; column of cuneiform text reading 'ᵈNin-subur, sukkal an-na' ('Ninshubur, the approved vizier', or 'heavenly vizier'); supplied with a museum-quality impression. 17 grams, 26 mm

From an important London, UK, collection, 1980-1990s.

Accompanied by a previous two page illustrated catalogue report.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12249-222296.