Assyrian Gold Earrings with Bosses

Formed as a small circular vessel, the frontal part shaped as a female face, with well-defined nose, eyes and mouth, long hair on the sides framing the face, traces of colour still present on the upper edge. 71 grams, 60 mm



Collected from 1969-1999. From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.

Faience objects have been discovered in great numbers at various Middle Assyrian and later sites, including the capitals, provincial and administrative centres as well as small settlements. Functionally, the faience objects can be assigned to a variety of categories, among which vessels, fragments thereof, and jewellery are the most numerous. The vessels are predominantly open-shaped, such as bowls and cups, but miniature bottles, beakers and other types of vessels were also found. Our small cup was probably intended for female toilette usage.

Broad dish or bowl with carianted profile, thick rim, three radiating pelleted handles at the shoulder. 1.26 kg, 27.5 cm wide



From a family collection pre 1988.

Hemispherical bowl with two pinched lamps to the rim, inner face with two facing ladders, central rectangular recess with two integral bird figures, two anthropoid females placed against the sidewall; outer face with carinated rim and circumferential bands. 1.38 kg, 22 cm wide



Collected by the previous vendor's father in the early 1970s. Acquired from Bonhams, London, 13 April 2011, no.353. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages and the original Bonhams lot tag.