Amlash Terracotta Pouring Bowl

Modelled in the round figure of a standing deity with textural detailing to the hair, naïve facial features with exaggerated eyes to accept inserts (absent) and slit mouth, gripping hands held out at the chest and one pierced to accept an attribute, knee-length garment, collar or necklace below the throat; mounted on a custom-made stand. 15.55 kg total, 47.5 cm high including stand



Ex Hans G. collection, Belgium, 1967-1983. Belgian art market, 1983. Private German collection of Mrs H., 1985-1993. with Pierre Bergé & Associés, Paris, 26 November 2013, no.198 (€40,000-45,000). Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Pierre Bergé & Associés printed catalogue pages (double page spread). Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00119290. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12468-230327. 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.

Similar free-standing statues have been found in the royal cemetery in Aswan (probably Khazinet ed-Darb in the Wādī Markha), and at Hayd ibn Aqil (Timna), in Yemen. They are mainly statuettes from the Yemeni kingdoms of Awsan and Qataban, which developed in the Beihan Valley. They represent rulers or important dignitaries of both reigns. The statue is remarkable for the detailed treatment of the facial features, hair and dress: the woman is portrayed wearing a long plain dress, similar to the modern futah of Yemenite people. The eyes were originally inlaid with shell set with polished obsidian pupils, giving a life-like effect to the static statuettes.

Pillow-shaped tablet with cuneiform text identified as 'irbu-income of dates from five people, with additional accounting on reverse, dating to year twenty of an unnamed king'; in glass-topped wooden display box. 24.9 grams, 45 mm (68 grams total, 66 x 50 mm including box)



Acquired in a Dorset/Somerset saleroom in the late 1950s. From the private collection of Colonel E.J. Martin (1911-1981) Indian Army and Artillery Regiment; collected since before 1954, and still with its original box with old information label. Identified by Colonel Martin's friend, the 'Keeper of Antiquities' at the British Museum. 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.

Comprising two matched inlays, each with a pair of facing heads, zoomorphic motifs below. 2.6 grams total, 16 mm each



Collected from 1970-1999. From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK. 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.