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Amlash Gilt Bronze Standing Ram
Circa 1000-600 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,600
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. -
Achaemenid Silver Ram-Headed Bracelet Pair
Circa 6th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
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. -
Neo-Elamite Silver Hinged Bracelet Pair
Circa 7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
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. -
Proto-Elamite Silver-Gilt Kneeling Bull-Headed Anthropomorphic Deity
Circa late 4th-3rd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,460
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. -
Luristan Bronze Whetstone Handle
Circa 9th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
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. -
Luristan Bronze Armour Belt with Double Scroll Terminals
9th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
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.
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). -
South Arabian Bronze Devotional Plaque by Yin'am and his Brother
Circa 1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £10,010
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. -
Large South Arabian Bronze Horse
4th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £18,200
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.
The stiff mane and stocky stature of the model recall the type of animal found on the steppe, known as 'Przewalski's horse'. -
Old Babylonian Terracotta Cuneiform Tablet
Ur III, Early 2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,950
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. -
Mesopotamian Terracotta Administrative Cuneiform Tablet
2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
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. -
Mesopotamian Cuneiform Tablet of a Contract within an Envelope
2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,080
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. -
Proto-Sumerian Terracotta Pictographic Tablet
Uruk III, circa 3200-3000 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,170
Pillow-shaped tablet with impressed segmentation to both broad faces, incised pictographs and groups of impressed roundels, hatched blocks and other notations; repaired. 383 grams, 12.5 cm
From an important collection of a London gentleman, 1980-2000s.