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

Carved in the half-round as a stylised animal head, restrung with round red stone beads at each end, accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stamp Seal of White Marble, 20 x 24 x 7.5 mm. This seal has the form of a lion's head on the top side, cut from a pebble with snout, mouth, eyes and ears marked by cuts in the stone. It is pierced from top to bottom in the middle. The flat base is engraved with five animals done mostly with the drill. One horned animal, and three springing rodents and one sheep (?) can be made out. Five almost vertical lines, four between the animals, one in the centre, probably represent snakes. This is a seal of the Jemdet Nasr period, c. 3000 B.C., from Sumer or south-west Iran, and is in very good state of preservation. It is an interesting example of sculpture from the dawn of history'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 6.9 grams total, seal: 24.5 mm



Ex Mr K. Kobayashi, Galerie Archaique Ltd, Osaka, Japan, prior to 1988. Accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1990.

Each with barbed blade, thick midrib developing to a sturdy neck and long tang. 151 grams total, 14.5-17 cm



Ex Abelita collection, 1980-2010.

Composed of mixed cream-coloured and white beads with larger beads as a central feature, restrung. 43.9 grams, 46.5 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.

Composed of ten small spheres in two rows. 0.58 grams, 8 mm



From the collection of a late Japanese gentleman, 1970s onwards.

Comprising: a squat jar with painted rings to the shoulder; squat cup with everted rim, carinated profile, painted scales; jar with deep shoulder. 523 grams total, 9.5-10.3 cm



Acquired on the UK art market since the 1990s. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman; thence by descent.

With broad bowl and stepped lip, barrel-shaped shank and disc base. 443 grams, 17 cm



Ex North West London specialist collection of pottery, 1990s.

Comprising a wide hoop with curving supports projecting from the shoulders, a thick flower-shaped bezel with an engraved and gilt flower motif. 21.95 grams, 31.96 mm overall, 20.96 x 18.15 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R 1/2, USA 8 3/4, Europe 19.38, Japan 18)



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Including a cylinder seal with a standing figure, a columnar head, a scaraboid and other items. 5.2 grams total, 10-17 mm



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

Group of tapering bell-shaped beads cut from the centre of a helical shell. 41.8 grams, 38 cm long



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

Bulbous body with a narrow foot, an everted rim and a U-shaped spout, the body with bands of densely arranged herringbone decoration. 437 grams, 18 cm wide



Ex Abelita collection, 1990s.

Plano-convex in profile with a lightly inscribed antique legend to domed face (including Arabic name and numeral '1298'); underside with reserved figure of a bird with wings spread. 28.7 grams, 36.5 mm



With Artemis Gallery, Munich, 1980s. Acquired from Artemis Gallery, November 1992. European private collection.

Including biconvex, barrel-shaped, tabular and other types. 28 grams total, 7-23 mm



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