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

Showing a planoconvex wheel with a flat back side and striated external surface, imitating spokes around the central hole. 117 grams, 78 mm



From a private UK collection formed in the 1960s.

Comprising one irregular with a net motif to the underside, one plano-convex with a start motif to the underside; two rectangular with incised geometric motives to both faces. 9.74 grams total, 12-19 mm



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

Fragment of a carved zoomorphic plaque with a suspension hole at the shoulder and ring-and-dot motifs along the flank; old collector's card 'Sumerian 3rd millennium B.C. Shell amulet in form of a stylised recumbant [sic] animal. Eyes represented by roundels similar on body & drilled for suspension. 60 x 35 mm (max). Similar amulets have occured [sic] at Tel Hadidi & have been dated to 2300 BC. Last auction prices £300-370 each)'. 13.1 grams, 52 mm



Acquired from John L.Homan, Lincolnshire, UK, 1990s. Accompanied by an original, old handwritten collector's information card.

Including rectangular, scaraboid, disc and other types with geometric and figural ornament. 16.1 grams total, 16-19 mm



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

Domed type with incuse advancing zebu motif; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 1.7 grams, 11 mm



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

Including hunter shooting an ibex, presentation scene at court and other types; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 3.17 grams, 12 mm



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

Hemispherical body with inturned rim, narrow scooped pouring lip, rectangular handle with a small loop to the rear. 140 grams, 13.6 cm



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

Squat-bodied with carination to the shoulder and everted rim, central flat base. 148 grams, 14 cm wide



Ex Abelita collection, 1990s.

Including a globular jar with tall neck and applied spiral trail with segmentation, and other items. 115 grams total, 16-71 mm



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

Chessman-type with knop finial, incuse design of opposed scrolls; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 13.9 grams, 23 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 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.

Haematite domed seal with domed top, four flat sides, incuse crescent moon and wreath to underside. 28.1 grams total, 23-29 mm



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