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

Biconvex in profile with slightly everted piched rim, loop handle. 112 grams, 89 mm wide



Ex property of a London gentleman; acquired before 2000. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman; thence by descent.

Plano-convex in profile with median figure flanked by two columns of text. 3.02 grams, 16 mm



Ex the private collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK, 1969-1999. Accompanied by a previously illustrated catalogue card with provenance.

Protome in the shape of a lion's head with deep, triangular eye sockets, the wreath-shaped mane transitioning into a rounded socket with a drilled hole on each side of the neck; mounted on a custom-made stand. 81 grams total, head: 36 mm wide, 10 cm including stand



Private collection, Switzerland, prior 1983; thence by descent.

The drill hole through the gaping mouth suggests that the head may have served as a spout.

With reserved roundels and lozenges to the upper face, flower and leaf motif; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 6.74 grams, 17 mm



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

Comprising mainly D-shaped seals in a variety of materials with designs including a tamga, advancing beast, and other motifs; each supplied with a museum-quality impression. 11.5 grams total, 12-14 mm



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

Including plano-convex type with openwork knot motif, pyramidal type with waffle-pattern, scaraboid type with seated figure and animals, and other designs. 8.8 grams total, 12-24 mm



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

Rectangular in plan with rounded ends, incuse Kufic text in two lines. 1.1 grams, 13 mm



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

Hexagonal in plan with later incuse kufic inscription; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 5 grams, 18 mm



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

Carved in the round, stylised duck with head resting along the spine. 11 grams, 32 mm



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

Hemispherical type, incised concentric ring to the inner face beneath the rim, tremolier tree motif to the centre. 136 grams, 15 cm wide



Ex Abelita collection, 1990s.

Each carved in the round as a duck with its head laid back along its spine. 6.67 grams total, 17-22 mm



Private collection, Israel. with Holy Land House of Antiquities, Jerusalem, 1990s. Private European collection, acquired from the above in 2001.

Tongue-shaped in profile with incuse image of an advancing ram beneath a crescent moon, arrow in the field. 4.40 grams, 18.46 mm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.

The ibex, a wild mountain goat with distinctive curved horns, was a popular and meaningful motif in ancient Near Eastern art. It often appears in Mesopotamian and Persian imagery, where it could symbolise strength, agility, and a connection to the natural and divine worlds. In some contexts, the ibex is linked with fertility and abundance, particularly through its association with flowing water and vegetation. Its elegant form also made it well suited to small-scale objects such as seals, where its image could serve both a decorative and symbolic purpose, reflecting the beliefs and environment of the cultures that produced them.