Standing female deity (Astarte?), wearing a long robe and a broad textured necklace; arms bent and hands placed on the abdomen; beaked facial features with applied eyes and two curved spurs to the rear; mounted on a custom-made stand. 367 grams total, 19.6 cm including stand

Collected from 1970-1999.
From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.

Cf. Zahlhaas, G., Prähistorische Staatssammlung, Idole und Votive, München, 1993, p.32, fig.16, for type.

Modelled in the round with pegs beneath the slender legs, body with openwork voids to the flanks and chest, short neck and ribbed horns. 52 grams,10.3 cm

Nicolas Koutoulakis (1910-1996), thence by descent.
Ex Galerie Khnoum, Geneva.
Private collection of Mr K.A.

Each comprising a D-section penannular body and finely-modelled beast-head terminals. 99 grams total, 74-75 mm

From the collection of a London antiquarian, formed since the 1980s.

Each comprising a round-section penannular body with alternating raised ribs and beaded bands, block terminals with hinged C-section closure. 188 grams total, 74 mm each

From the collection of a London antiquarian, formed since the 1980s.

Hollow-formed on a D-shape footprint, kneeling figure in striped robe draped around the body, arms held across the chest and abdomen with exposed hooves; arched neck with parcel-gilt bull's head and small goatee beard; suspension loop to rear of neck. 27.2 grams, 56 mm

Acquired by the previous owner on the London art market in the 1980s and kept in London.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12413-225443.

Cf. similar kneeling bull-head figure in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, ref. 66.173; Benoit, A. Art in the First Cities of Iran and Central Asia: The Sarikhani Collection, New Haven, 2021, p.37 for similar, p.178 for group of figures.

Modelled in the round; head, neck and forelegs of a gazelle with circular horns meeting the ears, pellet eye in a wide surround, folded forelegs; lead plug in the socket; mounted on a custom-made stand. 205 grams total, 14.1 cm including stand

Nicolas Koutoulakis (1910-1996), thence by descent.
Belgian private collection, Brussels, acquired from the above circa 2017.

A broad hammered military belt or cuirass band with plain surface, the terminals shaped as a double spiral ornament, holes in the centre of both ends for fastening. 257 grams, 25.6 cm

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

Cf. Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg, 2003, in Russian, for similar belts from Luristan with decorated surfaces (plate LIX, nos.19-20).

The rich and noble aristocrats of Luristan, Elamites, Hurrians, Lullubians, Kutians, and Kassites, went to battle splendidly equipped and used magnificent bronze armours. For metal sheets used for quiver plaques and bronze protective belts or shields, they used the hammering technique (Čakoškāri).

Rectangular plaque with slightly flared ends, raised border and mounting hole to each corner; crenellation to inner edge of upper border; twelve lines of dense inscription in raised relief, reading in translation: 'Yin'am and his brother, along with their sons, the Banu Rasham, have dedicated this to their god LBNH, the bull of M'RBN, in his sanctuary at Sim'ân. This inscription is a divine ordinance that he has commanded for them on his property, for their wellbeing and the wellbeing of all they have acquired and will acquire. May LBNH increase their prosperity, favour, health, and strength, and may evil, wrong, ill-will, injustice, WTRKS, and 'W/'F of enemies, both far and near, be kept away from them.' 13.4 kg total, 29 cm including stand

German private collection, acquired in 1980.
with Christie’s, New York, 4 June 2008, no.93.
Acquired by the present owner at the above sale.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12416-225770.

See Robin, C., Documents Epigraphiques de Diverses Origines, in Arabia 3, 2007.

Modelled in the round as a figure of a horse standing in static pose with ears pricked, stiff mane, open mouth; the eyes hollow to form sockets for inlay; to the spine, an integral saddlecloth with crenellated lower edges and triangular stud for attachment of a rider figure; one rear leg repaired. 1.1 kg, 19.5 cm

Previously in the private collection of Mr François Antonovich (1934-2023).

Accompanied by a copy of a previous catalogue page and details and photographs of François Antonovich.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12417-225442.

François Antonovich, Treasures from Ancient Yemen: On the Legendary Road of the Kingdom of Sheba, (2009), no.21; Antike Kunst no.3, Roswitha Eberwein, Göttingen (2014), no.48, pp.60-61.

The stiff mane and stocky stature of the model recall the type of animal found on the steppe, known as 'Przewalski's horse'.

Pillow-shaped tablet with columns of pictograms to two broad faces and one edge. 27.6 grams, 40 mm

Ex De Groot collection, Belgium, acquired in the 1930s.
with Bonhams, London, 13 April 2011, no.137.

Accompanied by copies of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12118-218148.

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

Pillow-shaped with dense cuneiform text to both broad faces and one long edge. 139 grams, 82 mm

From an important collection of a London gentleman, 1980-2000s.

Pillow-shaped ceramic tablet with impressed cuneiform inscriptions, wrapped and enclosed in a clay envelope with cuneiform text to one flat face. 138 grams, 73 mm

Specialised collection of cuneiform texts, the property of a London gentleman and housed in London before 1988.
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.
The collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples.