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LOT 0201
Assyrian Green Serpentine Amulet with Worshippers
CIRCA 900-600 B.C.
1 1/4 in. (11.9 grams, 31 mm).
Bifacial amulet with chevron borders and worshippers, 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: 'Amulet of Green Serpentine, 31mm. high. There is a band of chevrons at both top and bottom of this amulet, going in opposite directions. Between them on the one side is a standing worshipper holding up a cup in one hand and a bow in the other, in front of him an altar. On the other side is a sacred tree under a winged solar disc, and to the other side of the tree is a minute worshipper with hands extended. [...] from any part of the [...].' [No Reserve]
Provenancewith Bonhams, Fine Antiquities, 20th May, 1992, no.76.
Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in 1990.
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Bactrian Black Chlorite 'Hand Bag' Ceremonial Weight
3rd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £9,750
D-shaped in profile with void below the curved edge, obverse with reserved serpent and lion opposed, the lion's claw grasping the serpent; reverse with spread eagle flanked by rearing serpents; all bodies with sockets to accept coloured inserts; mounted on a custom-made stand. 2.95 kg total,18.5 cm (22.5 cm including stand)
with Gallery Rosen Ancient Art, Tel Aviv, 1960s. Ex London, UK, gallery, 1971-early 2000s. London, UK, collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate no.12774-237878.
The object could have been carried or swung in ceremonies or processions. On one side is a bird of prey, with its claws surrounded by the writhing bodies of two serpents, whose heads flank the bird's head. This symmetrical scheme probably renders a version of the enmity of eagle and serpent, which must have been an important theme of ancient Iranian art; the motif was later diffused throughout the world. -
Achaemenid Blue Glass Bead Necklace String
6th-4th century B.C. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £72
Restrung designer necklace string of oblate and other types with annular pendant centrepiece. 16 grams, 40.5 cm
London, UK, collection, 2000s. -
Large Western Asiatic Bronze Figure of a Bull
Circa 10th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £10,296
A heavy example modelled in the round with slender, elongated trunk, thick neck and prominent horns, vestigial ears below; Anatolian workmanship. 1.32 kg, 19.2 cm
with Christie's, New York, 8 June 2001, no.363. Private collection, Europe. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Christie's catalogue pages. 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 a search certificate number no.12414-226675.
Bulls with raised horns have been found in central Anatolian royal burials. Among the sacred animals found in the royal graves of Alacahöyük, the bull and the deer are always present. This simplified figure of a young and spritely standing bull recalls the Baltimore bull and the other two examples in the Cleveland Museum of Art. Images of bulls were mounted on standards, used in battlefields or in religious processions, or as in the royal graves of Alacahöyük, they were used to decorate cult furniture or shrines.
