Achaemenid Bronze Cup

Cylinder with standing figures and animals, with red stone bead; accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder Seal of Hematite, 16 x 8.5 mm. The scene consists of four standing figures. Two face each other: a god in a short kilt and holding a mace at his waist while wearing a Gudea-type hat. Facing him is another god in a long robe raising one hand and extending the other. The other two figures both have frontal faces. The one, nude save for a double-stranded belt, holds both hands at the waist. The other wears a loin-cloth with hanging-down end and grasps a stick in one hand. There are three fillers: monkey, human head, and bird. This seal is from North-Western Mesopotamia, c. 1900-1600 B.C., and is a rare type. The state of preservation is good.'; accompanied by a museum quality impression. 3.30 grams, 16 mm



Anonymous French sale. Private collection, London, UK. Accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993.

Discoid seal with incuse design; 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 23 x 24 x 10 mm This is a flat disc with a loop handle. pierced, from the same sheet metal attached to the back. The face shows a deeply engraved stag in a flying gallop. This is reported to have come from west-central Asia, and it fits the area and date c. 300-1 B.C.[sic] It has some incrustation on the surface which could be removed, but is in very good condition.' 6.06 grams, 24 mm



Ex 'S' collection, 1970s-1990s.

Matched pair of bovine-head mounts, each formed as a pair of D-shaped wings and a tail with low-relief feather detailing and holes to accept rivets; central head and neck of a bull with prominent horns, bands of curly hair to the pate and throat, large scaphoid eyes, incised contour detailing to muzzle, socket to reverse. 790 grams total, 8-13 cm wide



From the warehouse of Lane Hope Ltd, London, UK, 1980s (company dissolved December 1991). Private collection, UK; anonymous sale, Gorny & Mosch, Munich, Auction 206, 20 June 2012, no.85. European private collection, acquired at Gorny & Mosch, 2012. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate, no.6210.AM. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Gorny & Mosch catalogue pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12696-234610.

The fitting would have been one of four to the rim of a large bronze cauldron. Urartu was centered in eastern Anatolia, around Lake Van; the capital, Tushpa, was located on the eastern shore of the lake, situated on a high and elongated rock outcrop. Most sites boasted a well-built temple situated at the highest point, as well as a number of large storage rooms containing rows of large vessels for storing oil and grains, and massive well-built fortification walls.