Cappadocian Stone Cylinder Seal with Court Scene

Carved in the round as a crouching bull with its legs folded underneath the body, tail tucked between the hindlegs and resting against the side of the right side of the body; the beast's head held high with drilled nostrils and recessed eyes to accept inlays, the base of the horns drilled to accept separate inserts. 223 grams, 90 mm



Ex S. collection, London, UK, 1980s-2000s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12254-222311.

Modelled in the round standing with head raised, recurved horns or antlers, slender muzzle with mouth detailing, incised ring-and-dot motif to shoulders and hips; mounted on a custom-made stand. 69.2 grams total, 80 mm high including stand



London art market, 1978. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12263-220844.

Stylistically, the item shares features with the Hattian stag figurine found in the royal tombs in Alacahöyük (now in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Ankara, Turkey) and dating from the period 2100-2000 B.C. The use of ring-and-dot embellishments to the flanks is suggestive of some cultural continuity. The animal depicted is probably an ibex rather than a European stag. However, a date of manufacture in the period after the fall of the Hittite Empire in the 12th century B.C. seems more probable.

With a long tapering shank, poppy-head terminal with three projecting lobes, incised chevrons in between the lobes. 80 grams, 17 cm



Acquired on the UK art market before 2000; Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.