Assyrian Gypsum Relief with Head of a Bearded Man

Comprising a broad tubular neck with carination at the junction with the squat body, strap handle with spur to the upper edge. 730 grams, 18.4 cm



From the collection of a gentleman, 1988-2000s.

A late Kushan or Hephthalites Dynasty discoid pendant with a female deity, possibly Nana, at the centre holding a lotus flower in her right hand, hair elaborately dressed and wearing large earrings, necklace and bracelets; enclosed by a border of stylised bull heads and a double-plaited border, the outer edge with raised bosses; later applied polygonal suspension loop with granulated collars and an oval garnet cabochon. 22.11 grams, 71 mm



Acquired by a Swiss family in the mid-1980s to late 1990s, thence by descent. Private collection, Switzerland, since the late 1990s. 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 search certificate number no.13021-246776.

Nana (Kushan Greek: Νανα, Ναναια, Ναναϸαο, Sogdian Nni) was a Bactrian female deity, a variation of the pan-Asian Nana, a fusion of the Sumero-Babylonian Inanna-Ishtar with a local deity, in her Kušan form with the local (Zoroastrian) Harakhvati Aredvi Sura Anahita. Such syncretism was common among Kušan deities. She was an important patron deity in the Kušan Empire and the most important deity worshipped by Emperor Kaniška (c. 127-150 A.D.).

Cylinder with standing figures and animals, with red stone bead; 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 Hematite, 16 x 8.5 mm. The scene consists of four standing figures. Two face each other: a god in a short kilt and holding a mace at his waist while wearing a Gudea-type hat. Facing him is another god in a long robe raising one hand and extending the other. The other two figures both have frontal faces. The one, nude save for a double-stranded belt, holds both hands at the waist. The other wears a loin-cloth with hanging-down end and grasps a stick in one hand. There are three fillers: monkey, human head, and bird. This seal is from North-Western Mesopotamia, c. 1900-1600 B.C., and is a rare type. The state of preservation is good.'; accompanied by a museum quality impression. 3.30 grams, 16 mm



Anonymous French sale. Private collection, London, UK. 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.