Achaemenid Banded Agate Elbow Bead

Triangular in plan and plano-convex in section with drilled upper face, geometric design to underside. 19 grams, 37 mm



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

Openwork seal with a loop on the reverse, 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 Bronze 50.5 x 49 16 mm. This is round with scalloped outer edge. The face is flat, as is the back, on which is mounted a handle of inverted U-shape. The design, which is both compartmented and open-work, consists of central cross with curving arms with struts between the arms to the outer band with scalloped outer rim. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-200 B.C. There is incrustation on the surface, and the outer rim is slightly dented, but generally the pieve is in good condition.' 26.7 grams, 50 mm



Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Ex property of a West London businessman. Academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly report, numbered U-22, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert.

Spherical body with trumpet-shaped neck and strap handle, painted circumferential band on the body. 12.8 grams, 97 mm



From the collection of a Cambridge, UK, gentleman, by direct descent from his father, who acquired the items in London in circa 1960.