Assyrian Haematite Cylinder Seal with Hunting Scene

With frieze depicting opposed standing figures with spears and khopesh, gryphon, ankh and other items; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 7.16 grams, 24 mm



Acquired in 1997. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. 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.

Tightly-coiled wire band with graduated profile, domed disc closure with repoussé central boss and pellets to the rim, pendant formed as a rectangular frame enclosing two fusiform banded agate and another fusiform bead, barrel-shaped gold collars and coiled wire finials. 37.20 grams, 66 cm



with Ancient and Islamic Art Ltd, 1993. Private European collection, early 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate no.12597-232360. 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.

In Old Bactria there are a number of necklaces with compartmented chlorite rosettes containing settings in lapis lazuli, cornelian, and turquoise, which seem to indicate a tradition of purely local taste; together with these should be considered other examples in twisted gold lamina, like our example, with pendants in gold or in semi-precious stones such as rock crystal.

Cylinder with cord and bead handles; 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 dark-brown stone with white inclusions, 14 x 8.5 mm. Slight chipping on top, otherwise condition fine. Male figure wearing short kilt and raising one hand, in front of him female figure wearing long, flounced garment and raising both hands; both facing four bands containing (i) guilloche, (ii) backwards-facing rampant horned quadruped above sideways recumbent lion, (iii) recumbent stage between two other recumbent horned quadrupeds, (iv) slender dog (?) chasing quadruped with horns or long ears. From Syria, c. 1800-1700 B.C. For similar seals, see D. Collon, "The Green Jasper Cylinder Seal Workshop" in M.K. Buccellati et al. (eds.), Papers in Honor of Edith Porada.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 2.88 grams, 14 mm



UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in January 1989. 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.