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_900x900.jpg "Assyrian Stone Bust of the Demon Pazuzu")
_200x200.jpg "Assyrian Stone Bust of the Demon Pazuzu")
.jpg "Assyrian Stone Bust of the Demon Pazuzu")
LOT 1275
Assyrian Stone Bust of the Demon Pazuzu
8TH-7TH CENTURY B.C.
1 1/2 in. (47 grams, 37 mm).
Carved in the round bust with heavily hatched brow and cheeks, D-shaped eyes, snubbed feline nose, ellipsoid mouth gaping with teeth exposed, segmented panel to chest.
ProvenanceEuropean art market, 1997.
Acquired by the present owner from the above.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate no.12596-232196.
Cf. a similar bronze head of Pazuzu in BM, accession no.132964, in Braun-Holzinger, E.A., Figürliche Bronzen aus Mesopotamien, Abteilung I, Band 4, Munich, 1984, pl.53, p.264.
FootnotesPazuzu, in the old Mesopotamian mythology, is described as ‘the son of Hanbu and king of wind demons’. Amulets with images of his full body or, more often, just his head, were common in the early first millennium B.C. Pazuzu was most popular in the Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian periods, from about the late 8th century B.C. through the 6th century B.C.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1275
Assyrian Stone Bust of the Demon Pazuzu
Estimate £1,500 - 2,000€1,740 - 2,320 (for guidance only)$2,030 - 2,700 (for guidance only)
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Sumerian Terracotta Bulla
4th millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
A bulla with oval stamped impression of two animals. 147 grams, 60 mm
Specialised collection of cuneiform texts, the property of a London gentleman and housed in London before 1988. Thence by descent to family members. Examined by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert FBA (1926-2011), historian, archaeologist, and specialist in Assyriology and Near Eastern archaeology, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples. Accompanied by a copy of a previous catalogue page.
Small globular and hollowed clay balls are defined as 'bulla'. They are also known as ‘bulla-envelopes', some of which are plain and some displaying epigraphic, zoomorphic and/or figural decoration, impressed by either cylinder or stamp seals. Bulla first emerged in Mesopotamia and their earliest occurrence can be traced to circa 8000 B.C. Most know decorated bullae come from the Uruk area and offer an insight into its culture. This bulla represents a religious scene, indicated by the combination of the pyramid-shaped byre and the 'sacred herd', which are seen on the early Uruk seals. The symbol of the Mother-Goddess, presented in conjunction with the representations of sheep herd and byre, gave such imagery symbolic significance. The impression with two sheep depicted under the byre, might have been impressed by a stamp seal of the early Uruk period. -
Bactrian Lapis Lazuli Snake Pin-Head and Encrusted Bead
3rd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
Comprising: a lapis lazuli bead with a high-relief figure of a snake in sinuous coils, head poised to strike, with eyes formed as turquoise annular beads; a bronze columnar handle; a tabular banded agate bead; all three bound together by the bronze corrosion products. 50.6 grams, 10 cm
with Gallery Rosen Ancient Art, Tel Aviv, 1968. Ex London, UK gallery, 1971-early 2000s. Accompanied by a copy of the original 1968 invoice. -
Early Bronze Age Silver Idol
Circa 2400-2100 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,872
Of unusual double pelta type, symbolising a female human body, embossed dots to the perimeter and two holes to the centre. 17.88 grams, 64 mm
From a private family collection formed since the early 19th century, thence by descent. Property of a New Zealand legal professional. 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.12318-223718.
