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LOT 0193
Akkadian Black Stone Cylinder Seal with Combat Scene
CIRCA 2300-2200 B.C.
1 in. (12 grams, 27 mm).
Showing a combat of gods; accompanied by a museum quality impression and 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 Black Stone 27 x 16 mm. The design shows a combat of gods: all three wear horns on their heads as a mark of divinity. To each side of the scene is a god in long robe from waist to feet, open at the front with one leg projecting. They stand grappling with a god on one knee between them. He wears a robe of similar length, but not open at the front. Diagonal lines rise from the robes of the two attacking gods, probably marking them as fire gods. A stylised tree serves as a terminal. This is an Akkadian seal, c. 2500-2200 B.C. It is one of the rarer designs to see gods, and such fighting gods are not seen in other periods. But we have no written form of the myth to explain exactly what is happening. the seal is in very good condition and has an interesting design.'
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a North American lady, formed 1970s-early 1990s, with collection reference no.589/3.
Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert and an old photograph.
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Western Asiatic Basalt Tablet with Cuneiform Inscription
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £2,500 - 3,500 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,200
Architectural fragment with rectangular band to one edge, carved decorative detailing with inscription. 7.85 kg, 32.6 cm
Private collection, Europe, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1980s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12521-231989.
Amid the many architectural, sculptural, and textual riches of Assyria and Mesopotamia, the broken pieces of basalt bearing fragmentary cuneiform inscriptions have received little attention, but are of fundamental importance. Despite being quite fragmentary, these broken pieces of basalt are the remains of an important witness to the Assyrian imperial presence in the Near East. -
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Bactrian Bronze Zebu Vessel with Stopper
1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £15,000 - 20,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £7,500
Modelled in the round as a zebu standing four-square with head raised; columnar muzzle with shallow slit mouth, discoid eye-sockets to accept and inlay; lateral loops at the shoulder and tubular filler-hole; separate hump forming a lid with corresponding loops for attachment. 870 grams, 16.5 cm wide
Private collection, New York, 1987. with Bonhams, London, 1 May 2013, no.154. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages. Accompanied by a copy of French passport no.119527. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12976-245249.
The majestic zebu bull, with its heavy dewlap and wide curving horns, was considered to be a symbol of majesty and power since the first civilizations of the Indus Valley. It was the leader of the herd, the strength and virility (then symbol of fecundity) of which protected the group and ensured the procreation of the species. This is the reason why it was often chosen for sacrificial rites. It probably represented the emblem of the most powerful clans or top classes of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa and it was the most impressive motif found in these cities, appearing constantly on painted pottery and bronze or clay figurines of the Indus area. -
Western Asiatic Votive Terracotta Dagger
1st century B.C.Estimate: £300 - 400 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £160
Model dagger with two-lobed pommel and similar guard, applied bands to the scabbard, two attachment points. 5.83 grams, 88 mm
Japanese private collection, assembled in the 1990s. Acquired from the above in 2010. European private collection.
