With two rows of human and animal figures, restrung pair of red stone beads, old handwritten label '1544'; 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: 'Description of Cylinder Seal of Red Jasper, 37 x 12 mm. The upper register shows a seated figure with one arm raised, the other resting on the waist, a human hand(?) between knees and raised arm; two recumbent quadrupeds one above the other, one winged; two standing stags sideways, with heads turned back. The lower register shows, in a scene marked off by a ladder pattern, three standing humans with both hands raised before a tent-like structure with some object affixed to its upper front, two dots behind the structure. The registers are separated by a line with a row of simple crosses beneath it. This is in a rare Levantine style of c. 1500-1000 B.C. The lower register seems to show an act of worship. The condition is almost fine save for a little chipping at the bottom'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 10.2 grams, 37 mm



UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in 1987. 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.

With six columns of cuneiform inscription, reading 'Merciful is An-Amurru, giver of health -- his reverent servant, Ahushina, son of Itti-Ea-...'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 7.91 grams, 26 mm



From the collection of the late S, London, UK, 1970-2000. Examined by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert FBA (1926-2011), historian, archaeologist, and specialist in Assyriology and Near Eastern archaeology, 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.

With standing figure, sphinx and horned animal, restrung pair of red stone beads, old handwritten label '1629'; 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 Hematite, 19 x 7.5 mm. On the right stands a human figure in a hat with broad brim and wearing a robe to the feet. In one hand he holds an elaborate mace, no doubt the symbol of a deity. On the left is a reared up sphynx with raised wings and resting its front paws on the head of a recumbent horned animal. between the tops of the horns is a star. Two other filling motifs are: a dot and something like the horned animal's head with a long line rising above it. The design is put between upper and lower rules. This is a Mitanni 'elaborate style' seal, c. 1500-1200 B.C. It is in fine condition and is an interesting specimen of its type.'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 4.6 grams, 19 mm



UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in 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.

With frieze depicting two figures in floor-length robes addressing a seated figure in flounced robe; panel with three columns of cuneiform text, reading 'Kudum(?), royal soldier, son of Bagi, officer'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 6.03 grams, 25 mm



From the collection of the late S, London, UK, 1970-2000. Examined by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert FBA (1926-2011), historian, archaeologist, and specialist in Assyriology and Near Eastern archaeology, 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.

Rectangular clay tablet with cuneiform text to both broad faces. 138 grams, 96 mm



Ex Oriental Dar Antiques, Jerusalem, 1967. European private collection. Accompanied by a thermoluminescence analysis report no.N125e33 from Oxford Authentication. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12770-237184. 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 tablets were found in regular excavations from Khafaje and Kish, although still today the main body came from dealers. A definite date can be assigned to them only on the basis of internal evidence. The scripts of the tablets varies a good deal: some tablets are written in archaic cursive, others in younger cursive, still others mix archaic and younger sign forms.

Pillow-shaped with impressed cuneiform text to one broad face, one end and the upper part of the reverse. 146 grams, 96 mm



From the private collection of a Canadian gentleman living in Essex, UK, formed since the 1920s-circa 1990. Property of an Essex lady until the late 1990s; thence by descent. From the private collection of an Essex gentleman 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.

Pillow-shaped tablet fragment with script to one face; accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Portion of Clay tablet with Pictographic Script. 57x48 mm. This is an oblong tablet with rounded side and corners. Most of the obverse is preserved, only the top and left edges are missing. Most of the surface of the reverse is lost, but it was not written so the loss is not important. The obverse is divided into three columns, the first being a double column: each compartment has a smaller one beside it with figures alone. This is an administrative document from some town in Sumer, dating to the Jemdet Nasr period, c. 3000 B.C. Not everything can yet be understood, but some things are clear. The purpose of the double column is not known, but in the second column there are two immediately clear lines: 30 sheep; 1 (or:60) goat(s) The first two columns and the beginning of the third consist of compartments with signs for things and numbers, but the rest of the last column has more complex writing devices, and must be some kind of different statement. such as the name of the official in charge of the things listed, or the name of the office dealing with these matters, or also the name of the place where this listing was made. This tablet has been conserved by firing, and is in good condition.' 39 grams, 58 mm



Ex private collection of Mr S H; thence by descent,1980-1990. 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.

A large fragment of a ceramic barrel with cuneiform inscription to the outer face, flattened circular base. 414 grams, 10.4 cm



From an important collection pre 1988. From a private UK 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.

Pillow-shaped ceramic tablet with one segmented surface; accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Clay tablet, 53x57 mm, with 16 Lines of Sumerian Cuneiform. There are two columns of writing on the obverse only, the second not quite complete. The script dates the tablet to the Akkadian period, c.2300-2200 B.C. There is a chip off the lower edge, but all the writing is in perfect state of preservation. The text is a scholarly list of words and phrases such as scribed writing ur legal and commercial documents might use. Not everything has been understood so far, but some things are perfectly clear: A pot of lard; Bronze; x* of a mina of copper * apparently a fraction; Female kid; Male kid; Its silver 10 shekels; Bed of oak? Scholarly tablets of this kind are extremely rare for the Old Akkadian period. They are part of the scholarly list tradition which is a prominent feature of this civilization.' 68 grams, 58 mm



Ex private collection of Mr S H; thence by descent,1980-1990. 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.

Pillow-shaped with impressed text to both faces; accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Clay tablet 58x64 mm. with 26 Compartments and One Column of Sumerian Cuneiform. This is oblong with rounded sides and edges. each side is divided into 3 columns, and all but the last two are filled with script. This is some kind of legal document from a Sumerian city not so far known for such texts. The first five columns list items, each with a number and followed by a compartment of a different kind. The last column, on the reverse, is different from the others in giving the name and title of an official who in some way presided over the transaction here recorded. Since it is without exact parallel, it is difficult to translate even when the text is clear (there is some surface damage and one corner is broken off). The items given start with "one donkey", and include a quantity of barley (3 gur of barley), "one shekel of refined silver," and "two iku" (acres of agricultural land) is the last item. after which the document concludes: "Mr Enshaga was their seller." Other items are followed by, apparently, personal names, but only once at the end does "was their seller" appears. More study and more similar documents are needed to clear up the problems. The last column begins clearly enough: Ege-anda, Nugig but the final line is not clear. Nugig is a title of a priestess, but only here, it seems, is such a lady a high official giving her blessing to the sale just recorded. This is a most interesting Sumerian document dating to the later early Dynastic periods, c. 2500 B.C.' 95 grams, 64 mm



Ex private collection of Mr S H; thence by descent,1980-1990. 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.

Zoomorphic head with two rows of triangular teeth in gaping mouth, tear-shaped eyes with wide border, pair of crescentic ears, snub nose, hatched beard and pair of curved horns; pierced at the top for suspension. 89 grams, 83 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.

Modelled in the round with columnar head and neck, pinched and impressed facial details, applied headdress, collar and calf-length skirt, stub arms. 173 grams, 17.5 cm high



From the property of the late Mr SM, London, UK, 1969-1999. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent. Accompanied by a thermoluminescence analysis report no.N122k33 from Oxford Authentication. 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.