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Sumerian Calcite Figure of a Ram
Uruk, 3rd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
Modelled in the round with tall extended neck, coiled lateral horns, incised ring-and-dot motifs. 39.2 grams, 62 mm
Ex collection of the late Mr S. M., London, UK, 1970-1990s. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Sumerian Stone 'Eye' Idol
3500-3000 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,053
With a tapering rounded body and two looped eyes at the upper angles. 109 grams, 58 mm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Western Asiatic Green Jasper Scaraboid with Combat Scene
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,380
With finely executed intaglio scene depicting a standing figure wielding an axe and holding a rearing lion beneath a solar disc; supplied with a museum quality impression. 5.38 grams, 20.66 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 a search certificate number no.12714-234416. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Gnostic Black Stone Scaraboid with Eye in Hand
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £585
Scaraboid belonging to the cult of Sabazios, with incised motif of an open hand with an eye in the palm surrounded by enigmatic Gnostic legend. 14.37 grams, 28 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 cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Sasanian Jasper Stamp Seal with Pahlavi Inscription
3rd-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
Plano-convex in profile with intaglio zebu inside a Pahlavi legend. 5.04 grams, 18 mm
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Sumerian Stone Head Bead
3rd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £520
Amuletic mask, carinated in plan and plano-convex in section with facial detailing, ring-and-dot eyes. 7.7 grams, 28 mm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Sumerian Calcite Face Mask
3rd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,235
D-shaped carved mask insert for a figure, with lateral loops at the brow, detailed facial features, exaggerated sockets to accept separate inserts for the eyes. 23.7 grams, 44 mm
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Sumerian Buff Stone Boar-Shaped Amulet Seal
Uruk / Jemdet Nasr Period, circa 3500-2900 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
Modelled in the round with incuse running animals to the underside, sockets to the eyes and lateral piercing. 23.7 grams, 48 mm
From the 'S' collection, acquired 1970-1990s. Accompanied by a description by Peter Gert Van der Veen, senior lecturer of Levantine Archaeology, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Elamite Stone Recumbent Bull Pendant
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £257
Carved with detailed regardant head; pierced for suspension. 37.3 grams, 50 mm
with a London, UK gallery 1971-early 2000s. Private collection, London, UK. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Sumerian Lapis Lazuli Amuletic Animal Seal
Uruk Period, circa 3000 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £494
Plano-convex in section with incuse pair of animals to the underside. 7.6 grams, 28.6 mm
From the 'S' collection, acquired 1970-1990s. Accompanied by a description by Peter Gert Van der Veen, senior lecturer of Levantine Archaeology, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Sumerian Limestone Bull Head Protome
3rd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £25,350
With large eyes, the pupils inlaid in black chlorite, bone insert for the sclerae, three arching grooved brows, the wide muzzle with a horizontal incision between the nostrils, closed mouth; sockets to the sides of the head to accept separately made horns and ears; the edge of the neck contoured for attachment; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 1.24 kg total, 14.5 cm high including stand
Private European collection, 1985. with Christie’s, New York, 3 June 2009, no.35. Private collection, Europe. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12358-226703. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
In Sumerian mythology, the bull was associated with the storm and rain god Hadad (Iškur), and is widely represented on artworks (Woolley, 1961, pp.46, 52; Kramer, 1979, figs.17, 18, 22). The round inlaid eyes are typical of Sumerian art of Early Dynastic Period, as well as the triple eyebrows. -
Assyrian Chalcedony Head of Pazuzu
900-700 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,120
Carved in the round with ribbed horns to the top of the head, almond-shaped eyes, snub nose, gaping mouth with fangs and hatched beard; pierced longitudinally. 16.1 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 a search certificate number no.12716-234924. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.