An abstract figure modelled standing, carrying a small animal in its arms, possibly a kid, with a pinched head, large circular eyes, conical headpiece, discoid ear ornaments and a neck ornament. 56 grams, 12.6 cm high

Collection of a deceased London gentleman, 1979-1999, by descent.
From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.

Accompanied by an original thermoluminescence analysis report no. N122e89 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.

The Syro-Hittite states rose to prominence in northern Syria and southern Anatolia (modern Turkey) following the collapse of the Hittite Empire, during which time many such figures were produced and widely distributed for domestic use. Such figures, later pejoratively referred to as 'idols', depicted deities carrying or standing with animals.

Comprising a broad bowl with pedestal base, the rim with three small lugged bowls, three horned bovine heads, two birds and a complete bovine; restored. 2.03 kg, 31.5 cm wide

From a London gentleman's collection, 2000s.
Ex London, UK, gallery.
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.

Conical in profile with narrow base and rounded rim. 362 grams, 11.6 cm wide

Ex private collection, Contessa L.J., since the 1980s.
Private collection, Switzerland, 2001.
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.

Squat-bodied with a broad, rounded shoulder and base, short neck and flat everted rim. 1.95 kg, 13.7 cm

with Gerhard Hirsch Nachf, Germany, Auction 238|239, February 2005, no.107.
Acquired by the present owner from the above.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12256-222173.
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 a frieze comprising an eagle with spread wings, two rearing lion-headed serpents above with open jaws; the bodies of the beasts with shallow sockets to accept inserts, some still present. 2.3 kg, 23 cm

with Gallery Rosen Ancient Art, Tel Aviv, 1960s.
Ex London, UK, gallery, 1971-early 2000s.
London, UK, collection.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate no.12773-237879.
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.

Cf. Salvatori, S., ‘Early Bactrian Objects in private collections’ in Ligabue, G., and Salvatori, S., Bactria. An Ancient Oasis from the Sands of Afghanistan, Venice, 1988, pp.181-7, fig.84, for vessels with figures of animals in the same style; Aruz, J. (ed.), Art Of The First Cities: The Third Millennium B.C. from the Mediterranean to the Indus, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2003, p.326, for similar vessel.

The chlorite stone vessels of early Bactria were kidney-shaped vessels with simple geometric decoration often representing snakes and other animals. Small cylindrical vases were used as cosmetic containers, together with chlorite cosmetic flasks. Interestingly the eyes and the bodies of the animals were destined to receive inlay, as can be seen on our specimen where some are still in situ.

A bifacial sceptre head formed as a collared tubular stem with bulb foot; above, two opposed ibexes with segmented horns and coiled beards each attacked from behind by a mountain lion with gaping jaws, slender body and ropework tail; mounted on a custom-made stand. 860 grams total, 36 cm including stand

with Manouchehr Soleiman Aaron, Tehran, 1967.
Brought to the U.S. prior to 1974.
American private collection.
with Christie’s, New York, 7 December 2011, no.16.
European private collection.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12873-241699.
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.

Cf. Chausidis, N., Luristan Standards, iconography semiotics and purpose, Skopje, 2022, p.50, nos.4-5, for similar.

Hemispherical in profile with stepped inner rim above a repoussé frieze of horned monsters each wearing a kilt and linking hands with his neighbours; below, a bilinear band enclosing a bull-headed figure sitting with legs crossed on a rectangular mat(?). 121 grams, 15.2 cm wide

German private collection, 1990s.
with Bonhams, London, 3 October 2000, no.338.
Private collection, Europe.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12879-241694.
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 gently rounded and tapering sidewall to the shallow bowl, three integral tapering legs formed as stylised elephant-heads each with a long trunk and simple facial detailing; the flared ends of the trunks forming splayed feet. 2.9 kg, 31 cm wide

with a London, UK gallery 1971-early 2000s.

Accompanied by an original thermoluminescence analysis report no.N123k2 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.

Ellipsoid in plan and plano-convex in section, reverse with invocation scene: on a baseline a kilted figure advancing towards an altar with flames, holding a cup and a plate; altar flanked by two crouching winged bulls with human heads; perching eagle to right with amphora; above a winged sun-disc and rectangular object; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 18.4 grams, 32 mm

From the Fadel family collection, London, UK, 1970s.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12769-237265.
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.

Cf. a seal with similar characters in Median clothes offering sacrifices to a fire altar in Abdullaev, K., ‘Symbols associated with temples and altars in the Middle East and Iran’ in Parthica, culture del Mondo Antico, Roma, 2019, pp.11-42, fig.14, p.20.

The seal shows elements belonging to the period of the Achaemenid dynasty: the winged solar disc, symbol of the supreme god, Ormadz; the fire altar in the centre, a typically Zoroastrian element. The costume of the offerant is also decidedly Persian, with a short tunic at the knees and trousers of the saravara type.

With deep sidewall, underside with three lines of lightly incised text; supplied with a museum-quality inscription. 3.42 grams, 17 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.

Intaglio perching bird to underside with legend. 2.83 grams, 16 mm

Ex London, UK, gentleman 1980-1990s.
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.

D-shaped in profile with void below the curved edge, obverse with reserved serpents above a frieze of trees; reverse with rearing serpents above geometric panels; mounted on a custom-made stand. 4.8 kg total, 24 cm high (27 cm including stand)

with Gallery Rosen Ancient Art, Tel Aviv, 1968.
Ex London, UK, gallery, 1971-early 2000s.
London, UK, collection.

Accompanied by a copy of an original invoice from Gallery Rosen Ancient Art, 25 December 1968.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate no.12775-237877.
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.

Cf. 7000 years of Iranian Art, Exhibition catalogue, Smithsonian Institute, 1964, p.54 & p.118, illustration no.11; see Vidale, M., Treasures from the Oxus: The Art and Civilisation of Central Asia, London, 2017, pp.44-51, figs.41-45, for a variety of stones and shapes.

The object could have been carried or swung in ceremonies or processions. This is also suggested by the side in which the snakes overlook buildings of a religious place, which have the clear structure of the Ziggurats, while other sections are representing the doors of a temple.