Bactrian Chlorite Vessel with Lions

Cylinder with cord and bead handles; accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note, typed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Description of Cylinder Seal of brown Hematitite (sic), 29 x 15.5 mm. Standing composite figure with human legs and body, but a bird's wings and head, is placed between a large recumbent horned quadruped with long neck and a smaller horned quadruped with short neck; other items; scorpion, hand, fish, star. The whole of the design in enclosed within upper and lower rules. This is a good example of the Mitanni "Elaborate Style", from anywhere between north-western Iran and the eastern Mediterranean. As is normal for such Mitanni seals, the cutting was done entirely with three semi-mechanical tools: the drill, the tubular drill and the cutting wheel. The date will be c. 1500-1250 B.C. The ancient name of the composite figure is not so far known. Save for a gash on the standing figure, the condition is fine.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 14.4 grams, 23 mm



UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note typed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in October 1987. 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 Carnelian 19 x 8.5 mm, The scene shows two winged quadrupeds in a frieze. Each has the body of a bull, but with wings. Each is running and the front part of the body is reared up, overlapping the one in front. It is meant as a scene of one animal chasing the other. The seal is engraved mainly with the cutting wheel, but there are dots along the animals' bodies and at other points down with the drill. The seal is convex in shape, like a bead. This is a seal in the Neo-Babylonian style, c. 900-750 B.C., though examples have been found both in Babylonia and in south-west Iran. It is in very good condition and is an attractive piece.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 3.18 grams, 19 mm



UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in May 1992. 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.

Depicting the Gemini constellation, the twins shown nude and with long braided hair, Arabic text above and below, thirteen lines of Arabic text to the reverse; set in a glazed frame with a reveal to both sides. 735 grams total, 32.5 x 23.2 cm



From the family collection of a Hampstead gentleman; formerly acquired in the 1980s. 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.