Bactrian Bronze Scorpion Stamp Seal

Part-glazed hemispherical bowl with deep basal ring, iridescent glaze with painted petals to the rim over low-relief palmette motifs, with old inked label with stock number 'CR 336'. 327 grams, 16 cm



Ex London, UK, gallery, 1971-early 2000s. London, UK, collection. 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.

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 faience, Green, 30 x 15 mm. The designs, which is marked off by a rule above and below, consists of a stag or other such horned animal and three sideways men. The stag [is] half on its haunches, and with its head turned sideways for effect. The three men have match-stick legs, but better-formed bodies and effective heads. The seal is in very good condition. This is a Mitanni common-style seal, c. 1500-1200 B.C., and may have come from a wide area of the Near East, from Palestine, Syria, southern Anatolia or Northern Meesopotamia [sic]'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 8.32 grams total, 8.1-30 mm



UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in August 1990. 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.

With flanged rim, central mesomphalos boss surrounded by radiating lotus petals. 167 grams, 16.5 cm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. 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.

Phiale mesomphalos (literally: bowl with central boss) were the most popular form of vessel and were produced in a number of materials, including clay, bronze, silver and gold. They are a distinctive type of Achaemenid tableware, made by hammering or raising sheet metal, with decoration added in repoussé. They were used in banquets held by the nobility and for pouring libations at religious festivals. Phiales of this kind were a common gift from the Achaemenid king to the nobility which helped cement alliances among the different tribes of the Empire. The central boss to the underside allowed the user to secure their fingers and ensure a solid grip whilst drinking or pouring.