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

Including running hound, perching eagle and other types. 8.6 grams total, 12-22 mm



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

Comprising a hemispherical bowl with carination and a flaring foot. 838 grams, 19 cm



Ex Abelita collection, 1990s.

With conical body, the inner face bearing the remains of concentric rings of inked magical Aramaic text. 285 grams, 17.2 cm wide



Private collection, 1980s. Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK

Aramaic incantation bowls are particular to the Sasanian period and have been found in the regions of modern Iraq. These simple ceramic bowls, also known as magic bowls, each contain an Aramaic inscription, written in ink, which spirals from the centre. The bowls seem to have played an important part in domestic life. For example, during excavation in Nippur in 1889, one or more incantation bowls were found in each house together with domestic artefacts, most often in doorways or under floorboards in the corner of rooms. The bowls are predominantly apotropaic, and the inscriptions tend to protect their owners from misfortunes such as childbirth, illness and evil spirits.

Plano-convex in section with lateral transverse piercing; incuse motif of a hand with thumb and forefinger holding a cross potent; supplied with an impression. 3.84 grams, 13 mm



Private collection of Kal Noselson, New York, acquired between 1976 and the late 1990s; thence by descent.

Squat drum-shaped seal with panel of linear geometric ornament, frieze of two stylised ibexes. 22.7 grams, 26.8 mm



Private collection, 1980s. Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK.

Hemispherical body and loop handle, broad pouring lip with lateral flanges. 479 grams, 23 cm



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

Including advancing bull, fleeing stag with head turned and other types; each supplied with a museum-quality impression. 11.26 grams total, 13-18 mm



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

Carved in the round as a beast's head with a profile horse and objects to the underside; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 2.63 grams, 14 mm



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

With rounded underside and slight flare at the rim; cracked. 1 kg, 22.2 cm



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

Rounded body with a tubular foot, a polychrome six-petalled flower motif at the centre of the bowl, the outer face decorated with bands and floral motifs, a maker's mark on the base. 519 grams, 16.2 cm wide



From an old Bath, UK, collection. Acquired on the UK art market since the 1990s. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman; thence by descent. Accompanied by a previous catalogue information slip.

Oval cabochon with an inscription within a double-bordered square with a star at the centre, a line of text on each side of the outer edges of the square. 2.19 grams, 18 mm



Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.

Discoid in plan with median line of Kufic script. 0.4 grams, 9 mm



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