Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History & Coins

The narrow end of a pillow-shaped tablet with rows of cuneiform text on four sides. 33.5 grams, 44.5 mm



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

Pillow-shaped with columnar ribbing to the broad faces, dense cuneiform text in the columns. 57.2 grams, 63 mm



Private collection of Mr K., Maryland, USA. Private collection, Switzerland, acquired in 2000. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12893-241757.

The 2nd millennium B.C. (about 2000–1000 B.C.) was an important period in the ancient Near East, when major civilisations such as the Babylonians, Assyrians, Hittites, and Egyptians grew in power and influence. It was a time of progress in trade, government, law, and writing, helping us understand how people lived and worked. Cuneiform tablets, which are small clay tablets written in one of the earliest writing systems, were widely used to record business, legal matters, letters, and stories. When these tablets are found outside their place of origin, it can show connections through trade, travel, or official communication, offering insight into both the ancient world and how such objects later moved through collections.

With incuse figure kneeling with outstretched wings. 2.80 grams, 18.30 mm



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

Frieze depicting an advancing gryphon, scorpion and bird; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 1.64 grams, 13.5 mm



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

A stylised figure of a stocky animal with a small head, pierced through the body. 3.27 grams, 22.7 mm



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

Composed of oblate and other beads with a mother-of-pearl pendant, restrung. 40.4 grams, 39 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.

Modelled standing with raised tail and a large head with long, curving horns. 23.2 grams, 47 mm long



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

Penannular body with keeled upper face and a central rectangular plaque flanked by bands of scrolls and linear motifs, finials formed as beast heads with large ears and slender muzzles. 38.6 grams, 64 mm



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

With a segmented upper face, the underside with incuse image of two figures holding an object in their conjoined hands. 3.49 grams, 17.67 mm



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

Conical, deep body with flattened base and thickened rim. 245 grams, 17 cm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.

Plano-convex in section with incuse design to underside: profile bearded bust with brow-band and fronds beneath; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 13.59 grams, 26.74 mm



From the private collection of the late Mr W. Magee, Hartlepool, County Durham, UK, 1960s-1990s, thence by descent.

Each a kidney-shaped loop and a D-shaped buckle plate, one pierced to accept rivets and the other with pierced lugs to the underside. 21.48 grams total, 32-34 mm



Acquired before 1983. Ex London gallery, 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.