Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History & Coins

Matched pair of bovine-head mounts, each formed as a pair of D-shaped wings and a tail with low-relief feather detailing and holes to accept rivets; central head and neck of a bull with prominent horns, bands of curly hair to the plate and throat, large scaphoid eyes, incised contour detailing to muzzle, socket to reverse. 790 grams total, 8-13 cm wide



From the warehouse of Lane Hope Ltd, London, UK, 1980s (company dissolved December 1991). Private collection, UK; anonymous sale, Gorny & Mosch, Munich, Auction 206, 20 June 2012, no.85. European private collection, acquired at Gorny & Mosch, 2012. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate, no.6210.AM. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Gorny & Mosch 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.12696-234610.

The fittings would have formed a part of four to the rim of a large bronze cauldron. Urartu was centred in eastern Anatolia, around Lake Van; the capital, Tushpa, was located on the eastern shore of the lake, situated on a high and elongated rock outcrop. Most sites boasted a well-built temple situated at the highest point, as well as a number of large storage rooms containing rows of large vessels for storing oil and grains, and massive, well-built fortification walls.

Carved bifacial amuletic pendant of an ox with incised detailing, sockets for inlaid eyes, suspension hole at shoulder. 62 grams, 74 mm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.

Formed from a single wire and the ends coiled around the body. 0.15 grams, 10 mm



Ex private British collection, formed in the 1980s. Property of a West Northamptonshire, UK, gentleman.

A shallow dish with a low rim and foot. 37.7 grams, 69 mm wide



From the collection of a Yorkshire, UK gentleman, items collected in the Holy Land in the 1960s.

Formed of sheet-gold with an applied granule below and suspension loop above. 0.17 grams, 11 mm



Ex private British collection, formed in the 1980s. Property of a West Northamptonshire, UK, gentleman.

Lozengiform type with incised geometric motif. 3.09 grams, 24.40 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

Plano-convex in form with possibly later incuse design, three fish and other objects. 18.34 grams, 27.23 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

Square in plan with rounded sides and corners, incuse regardant animal to underside. 10.72 grams, 26.73 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

Plano-convex in section with linear motifs. 18.43 grams, 28.74 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

Arched in shape, equipped with three pyramidal points on the lower part, decorated with the figure of a bull with large horns on the upper part, the edge is knurled and equipped with a wavy bar, the lower vertical arm connected to a plate equipped with pyramidal points. 140 grams, 15 cm wide (185 grams total, 11.5 cm high including stand)



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

Discoid body with broad stub nozzle, lug handle, low-relief running tendrils to the shoulder. 51 grams, 91 mm



From a collection of lamps from a late Scottish gentleman, 1970-1990s.

Each with a lightly incised geometric motif. 19.27 grams total, 16.02-20.47 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.