Achaemenid Pale Blue Bead Necklace

Broad and of squat profile with rounded underside, low-relief ring to the centre. 223 grams, 17.6 cm wide



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

With drinking scenes; accompanied by 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 Translucent Greenstone / 31 x 12 mm. The engraved area is divided into two registers by a double line. Above is a drinking scene: two seated drinkers, each with a large ot of beer, and between the pots a standing servant. Below is a contest scene: two crossed lions molest each a horned animal. The horned animal on the left is upended, and is succoured by a hero. This comes from Mesopotamia and dates to c. 2400-2200 B.C. It is nicely engraved and in excellent state of preservation.' 8.09 grams, 31 mm



Academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s. From a collection acquired from various auction houses in the UK. From the estate of Mr R.W., a private Wiltshire, UK, collector; thence by descent. Accompanied by an original typed and signed scholarly note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993.

Restrung designer necklace of graduated spherical and melon glass and stone beads with oblate mosaic types. 20.5 grams, 37.5 cm



Acquired on the London, UK, art market in the 1990s. Ex London, UK, gallery.