Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History, Stamps & Coins

Rectangular clay tablet with cuneiform text to one face, repaired. 36.2 grams, 45 mm



Specialised collection of cuneiform texts, the property of a London gentleman and housed in London before 1992. Thence by descent to family members. Examined by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert FBA (1926-2011), historian, archaeologist, and specialist in Assyriology and Near Eastern archaeology, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This small collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well-preserved examples.

D-shaped in profile with incuse image of a sphinx; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 1.57 grams, 11 mm



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

Scaraboid type with standing robed figure flanked by folded wings; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 4.19 grams, 20 mm



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

Composed of spherical, oblate and melon beads with an annular loop and a large amuletic bead as a central feature, restrung. 25.3 grams, 32.5 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.

Carved in the round as a rectangular block with a slit to the upper edge, vertical spike with two annulet 'eyes'; pierced for suspension. 13.2 grams, 41 mm



with M. Petropoulos, Zurich, early 1990s. with Rhéa gallery. Private collection, acquired in 1999. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12897-241753.

Idols were an important part of religious life in South Arabia and across the ancient Near East. They were made as images of gods, spirits, or protective powers, and helped people feel a closer connection to the divine. These figures might be placed in temples, shrines, or even in the home, where they could have a protective or devotional role. Their shapes were often simple and stylised, with more importance placed on their meaning than on making them look fully realistic.

Biconical in profile with stub feet, broad shoulder with pierced lugs, low rim to the mouth. 270 grams, 12.3 cm



From a UK collection formed in the 1980s. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

Rectangular in plan with five pellets to the underside, one retaining a yellow fill; obverse with incised crouching winged lion with human head in profile, one foreleg raised. 5.31 grams, 20 mm



From the deceased estate of a specialist collector of seals, Woodbury, Connecticut, USA. From a private collection acquired in 2006.

Hemispherical in profile with concentric incised rings to the centre. 59 grams, 93 mm wide



Ex Abelita collection, 1990s.

Thick fragment with a section of impressed cuneiform text on the obverse. 77.3 grams, 66 mm



London, UK, art market, 1980s. Private collection, London, UK.

Comprising a plaque of three conjoined lobes with segmented border; at the top, a loop with segmented rim; vignette with a nude male with shoulder-length hair embracing a taller bearded figure with kilt and mantle to left shoulder (Hercules?); below, a satyr with horns and goat's legs beset by hunting dogs. 286 grams, 13.8 cm



Acquired in 1992. Private collection, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12865-241702.

Vessel mounts of this form are not a commonly recovered artefact type, and the presence of two figures instead of one is a very singular feature. We can presume that the mount was attached to a vessel of large dimensions and of a certain importance.

Plano-convex type with incuse motif of a figure with pellets; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 1.14 grams, 11 mm



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

Sheet bronze plaque fragment with repoussé design of a facing male mask above large folded wings and a lion-head roundel; addorsed eagle-heads flanking the mask and leaping lions at the sides; border with volute tendrils, rosettes and other motifs; mounted on a custom-made stand. 35 grams, 12.5 cm



From the collection of Dr Desmond Fitzgerald. Ex Charlie Watts collection. Acquired from Bearnes Hampton Auctions, 2026. Accompanied by a copy of the auction catalogue page (£1,000-£2,000).