Assyrian Cylinder Seal with Animals

Formed as D-shaped wings and a tail with low-relief feather detailing and holes to accept rivets; central head and neck of a bull with prominent horns, bands of curly hair to the plate and throat, large scaphoid eyes, incised contour detailing to muzzle, socket to reverse. 437 grams, 13.4 cm



From the warehouse of Lane Hope Ltd, London, UK, 1980s (company dissolved December 1991). Private collection, UK; anonymous sale, Gorny & Mosch, Munich, Auction 206, 20 June 2012, no.85 (Part). European private collection, acquired from the above. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate, no.6210.AM. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Gorny & Mosch catalogue pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate no.12696-234610.

The fitting would have formed part of a group of four around the rim of a large bronze cauldron. Urartu was centred in eastern Anatolia, around Lake Van; the capital, Tushpa, was located on the eastern shore, situated on a high and elongated rock outcrop. Most sites boasted a well-built temple situated at the highest point, as well as a number of large storage rooms containing rows of large vessels for storing oil and grains, and massive, well-built fortification walls.

Comprising four stamp seals, each domed and pierced through the body, one with a plain underside, one with an altar, one with a gryphon and one with star motifs; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 11.86 grams total, 11-18 mm



Private collection, 1980s. Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK.

Bulbous body with a flattened base, a short funicular neck and a round-section strap handle, seven concentric circle motifs with a central pellet on the shoulder. 1 kg, 21.5 cm



Ex Abelita collection, 1990s.