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Old Akkadian Cylinder Seal with Drinking Scene
Circa 2300-2200 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,300
Cylinder with cord and bead handles; accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder Seal of Black Stone, 31 x 19 mm. The scene consist of three figures: on the left is a god, marked out by his horned tiara, and sitting on an angular stool generally thought to represent a temple facade. Facing him is a human seated on a more practical seat, with crossing legs. Each holds a straw to a pot in the middle, from which they are or will be drinking. Behind the god stands an attendant with one hand raised. For a terminal there is a stylised tree. This is an old Akkadian drinking scene, c. 2300-2200 B.C., from Mesopotamia or south-west Iran. It is an important example because normally both figures look either divine or human, but here one, is clearly divine and the other human. The drink in the pot is beer, and straws were used because it was not strained, and all the husks of the barley were in the liquid, and were strained out by the straws.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 22.5 grams, 31 mm
UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in January 1992. 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 Ring with Arabic Inscription
19th-20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
A white metal ring with adjustable hoop, D-shaped shoulders with tendrils decoration, square bezel with openwork underside and applied gilt plaque bearing an Arabic inscription above. 19.78 grams, 26.18 mm overall, 18.33 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)
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. -
Painted Enamelled Plaques of The Iranian Royal Family
19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £975
Group of portrait miniatures on glass discs including two males in military uniform, a close-up female face, female bust in three-quarter view, Iranian royal badge of an advancing lion wielding a sword with the rising sun on its back, and cinquefoil with lion-and-sun motif to the centre; mounted in a glazed wooden frame with gilt edging. 3 kg total, 50.5 x 49 cm
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. -
Old Babylonian Terracotta Plaque from Nippur
Levant, circa 1900-1600 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Plano-convex in section with moulded offering scene depicting a man advancing to his left whilst holding out an animal, probably a goat, with four protruding legs; mounted on a custom-made stand. 116 grams total, 10.7 cm high (13.5 cm high including stand)
Acquired 1970s-1980s. Ex Paul S. Forbes collection, Maryland, USA. 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.
Terracotta plaques of this sort were mass- produced from moulds and represented a form of art available to a wide audience. They have been excavated in temples as well as in household shrines and private homes, and give us a mysterious glimpse into religious practices and the ideas that people valued. Their subject matter varies widely, including religious images, mythological and erotic scenes, and representations of rulers and gods. -
Assyrian Bronze Amulet in the Shape of Humbaba
Circa 800 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Modelled in the round with hands clasped across the midriff and legs astride, arms forming loops. 2.2 grams, 22 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 Bronze Bead Necklace String
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Restrung group of oblate and other beads. 28.8 grams, 36.2 cm
Ex London, UK, collection, 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. -
Very Large Transjordan Holy Land Terracotta Bowl
Early Bronze Age I, 3rd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Large bowl with piriform body and narrow foot, circumferential decorative band below the rim; section of the rim absent. 2.75 kg, 35.1 cm wide
From the collection of a gentleman, Geneva, before 1988. 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 Silver Ring with Jewish Gemstone
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
D-section hoop with forked terminals, large bezel with a carnelian intaglio engraved with a lozenge-shaped grid of magical symbols, four sprigs surrounding; underside stamped with 'H 925'. 7.05 grams, 30.66 mm overall, 20.42 mm internal diameter (approximate size British V 1/2, USA 10 3/4, Europe 24.4, Japan 23)
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. -
Mesopotamian Stone Cylinder Seal with Processional Scene
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £676
Carved onyx with frieze of stylised robed figures in procession; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 20 grams, 31 mm
From a London, UK, collection, 1980s. Ex North American collection. 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. -
Central Asian Bronze Stamp Seal Matrix with Triskele
Circa 2100-1800 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Discoid with conical looped handle to the rear; accompanied by typed and signed note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 36 x 35 x 38 mm. This has a round flat face, and a back which rises steeply to a big looped handle. the design on the face, done in raised lines, consists of three motifs beginning at the edge with inverted V-shapes then continuing with a single curling line. Two of the V-shapes have short strokes from the edge within them, and all three have further such strokes under the curls. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2100-1800 B.C. It is a large example of its kind, and the loop and rim are worn, but otherwise in good condition.' 78 grams, 37 mm
Ex collection of a late London gentleman, 1990s. 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. 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 White Stone and Shell Bead Necklace String
1st millennium B.C. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £7
Restrung group of fusiform, irregular and other beads. 24.3 grams, 42 cm
Ex London, UK, collection, 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. -
Neo-Assyrian Cylinder Seal with Figures
Circa 800 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Design comprising two pairs of rearing ibexes and other creatures, each crossing its partner forming a saltire; vertical looped-tendril motifs between; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 9.49 grams, 31 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.