Achaemenid Light Blue Glass and Ceramic Bead Necklace String

Plano-convex in profile with later intaglio central tree with three branches, on each side a recumbent ibex, crescent moon between antlers and sun behind; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 43.9 grams, 44 mm



Ex property of a London collector; acquired 1960s. Property of a North London, UK, lady. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

With standing divine figure and animals, restrung pair of red stone beads, old handwritten label '1605'; 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 Yellow Chalcedony with Ivory Coating in Part. 33 x 16 mm. The engraving shows a standing god dressed in a long robe open at the front, from which one leg projects, holding off on either side a winged quadruped which is facing backwards. This is typical Late Assyrian or Late Babylonian seal dating c. 800-600 B.C., engraved with a combination of cutting wheel and drill. The purpose of the scene is to display the power of the god, no doubt meant as the god of the seal owner, but there is nothing to indicate exactly which god the seal engraver had in mind. Apart from a chip off the upper edge not reaching the design, the seal is in very good state of preservation.'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 16.7 grams, 33 mm



UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in 1991. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Hollow-formed figure of a bull resting with its legs folded beneath its body, head turned; on a stepped rectangular base. 485 grams, 11.4 cm



Nicolas Koutoulakis (1910-1996), thence by descent. Ex Galerie Dominique Thirion, Brussels, Belgium. Private collection of Mr K.A. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12411-225769. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.