Bactrian Lapis Lazuli Tubular Bead with Snake

Plano-convex in section with moulded offering scene depicting a man advancing to his left whilst holding out an animal, probably a goat, with four protruding legs; mounted on a custom-made stand. 116 grams total, 10.7 cm high (13.5 cm high including stand)



Acquired 1970s-1980s. Ex Paul S. Forbes collection, Maryland, USA. 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.

Terracotta plaques of this sort were mass- produced from moulds and represented a form of art available to a wide audience. They have been excavated in temples as well as in household shrines and private homes, and give us a mysterious glimpse into religious practices and the ideas that people valued. Their subject matter varies widely, including religious images, mythological and erotic scenes, and representations of rulers and gods.

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 Translucent Green Stone 28 x 21 mm. The design consists of three rows of three fish, two rows moving in one direction, one row moving in the other direction. Tis is a seal in the Jemdet Nasr Style, dating to c. 3000 B.C., from Sumer or south west Iran. the design is deeply cut and the seal is in very good state of preservation. The fish is probably a symbol of the god Enki god of the waters below the earth, and in later periods of art often associated with fish.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 22.7 grams, 28 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.

Feline with stocky body, erect tail, thick neck developing to a flat head, loop handle from the shoulder to the rump; painted with bands of geometric designs, facial detailing to the head; mounted on a hollow rectangular block with painted hatching to the upper face and edges. 1.46 kg, 16.5 cm



From the Steel family collection, 1950s-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.