Amlash Terracotta Net-Painted Vessel

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 soft Black Stone, 18 x 18 mm. The art shows a row of three horned animals, each distinct from the other two by its horns. Over the backs of two there is a ladder motif. This is a seal of the Jemdet Nasr period, c. 3000 B.C., from Mesopotamia or south-west Iran. The bodies of the animals are carefully modelled and the whole work is deeply engraved so that in the impression the animals stand out in deep relief. Of its kind this is a good example, in fine state of preservation. The ideology behind this scene comes from temple herds, because ordinary people rarely owned the larger domesticated animals, but normally sheep and goats. Thus cattle and other horned quadrupeds which were being domesticated at this time were the prized possession of the community. The ladder pattern is probably a stylized form of an ear of barley, which occurs (disproportionately large) behind the animal in some more detailed seal of this period.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 10.77 grams, 17 mm



From the private collection of a North American lady, formed 1970s-early 1990s, with collection reference no.119-2. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert dated December 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.

Modelled in the round columnar figure with pinched facial features, arms folded across the chest and open crotch; mounting peg beneath feet; supplied with a custom-made stand. 31 grams, 63 mm (60 grams total, 73 mm including stand)



From the Swiss private collection of Hans Wiedemann, Biel/Bienne, since the 1990s. Ex S. L. Antiquarian Biel/Bienne, Switzerland. Private Swiss collection, Basel-Landschaft, acquired from T. B. on the Swiss art market, Basel. 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.

Figures like this one were presented as offerings in the temples, however they were also used in households to protect against evil spirits.

Bifacial with one chamfered edge, cuneiform legend to the flat face. 2.98 grams, 22 mm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. 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.