Achaemenid Pale Blue Glass Bead Necklace String

Carved as a human figure in three parts: body with rows of overlapping tufts of fur, shallow socket to accept the head and broad collar below; the bald head carved from marble with semi-naturalistic detailing to the face; headdress (or wig) with a flared outer flange. 1.54 kg total, 3.9-14 cm



Acquired from a gallery in France and brought to the United Kingdom in 1982; thence by descent. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12713-235197. 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.

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 Carnelian, 19 x 10 mm. The design, which is placed between upper and lower rulings consists of a group of three figures. In the centre is a deity, standing in a frontal pose, with strange head and body, the head with horns projecting each side, also a tail hanging down between the splayed legs. With each hand he is holding off a composite animal. The one on the right has a quadruped's body with wings and a bird's head. There is a 'bib' between the front legs as the creature sits on its haunches. The creature on the left is meant to be the same, but is slightly different in details due to less space being available. This is a seal from Syria, c. 800-600 B.C., and is an unusual type. It is based on the common Assyro-Babylonian type of a standing god between two animals, but the god in this case is a variant of the Egyptian Bes and the animals are forms of creatures belonging to East Mediterranean art, not to Assyro-Babylonian art. Save for chipping of the edges the seal is in good condition.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 3.63 grams, 20 mm



Ex N. Colville collection. Acquired Christie's, London, 6 July 1994, lot 159. From the private collection of a North American lady, formed 1970s-early 1990s, with collection reference no.344. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert dated August 1994. 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 facing portrait of a figure with tall headdress, cloak tied to the chest, both arms raised holding objects, enclosed within a plain border; strap handle to the reverse, accompanied by typed and signed note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Bronze Disc with Loop on Back, 56 x 56.5 x 12mm. The face of this disc has a figure depicted on it in low relief within an outer band. It shows a figure from the waist up with headdress marked by a spike at the front. In one hand he holds an arrow or other such item, and the other hand is gripping a different item. The body is marked by curving side strokes and a circle and short cross strokes within the side strokes. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 100 B.C-200 A.D. It is a rare item and in fair condition.' 48 grams, 56 mm



Ex collection of a late London gentleman, 1990s. 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. 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.