Bactrian Stone Idol

Slightly curved hollow-formed decorative element from a necklace or collar, with three rows of cells to the segmented body each with a granulated collar, two lentoid eyes two one end and three flanges to the other, open at both ends and plain to the underside. 9.34 grams, 59 mm



From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s.

Hemispherical with thickened rim; repoussé frieze of two armoured warriors wearing scale armour and a type of spangenhelm, each shooting a bow at a gryphon attacking a fleeing deer, and a lion attacking an ibex, scorpion and running animals in the field, rosette to the centre; four incised characters to the outer rim 'Π Ϲ ϕ ο'; another inscription in over the body of the gryphon. 278 grams, 15.2 cm diameter

Perfectly preserved, very good condition.

Saleh family collection, Germany, formed prior to 1972. 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. 12018-213619.

Comprising a quantity of disc-shaped beads, each pierced for stringing. 53 grams total, 3-10 cm



UK gallery, early 2000s.

While slaves and the poorest people wore simple, functional clothes, the wealthiest classes of Mesopotamia could afford beautifully made jewellery. The royal tombs from Sumeria dating from around 2500 B.C. included an abundance of beaded necklaces, rings, bracelets for the wrist and ankles, stickpins, and other jewellery, made of gold and silver set with decorative gemstones such as deep blue lapis lazuli, red carnelian, white alabaster, and sparkling crystals. In the Lugale-Mythos the Alabaster is personified like a hero: ‘(And) the hero Alabaster, these heroes plundered the cities for him (= Asag)’. The hematite and the limestone/alabaster, two stones with a light and dark base colour, were used as aids in a divinatory ritual in which they were probably connected with the favourable and unfavourable answers to oracle inquiries.