Early Arabic Inscribed Stone Fragment

Carved anatomical detailing, the underside with two figures driving a biga. 3.15 grams, 17 mm



From a late Warwickshire numismatic collector, his collection formed from the early 1980s.

Comprising: court scene with seated figure, supplicant, bird in flight and dog; scene with coiled snake, and linear figure; frieze with stylised insect with hexagonal body; combat scene with two rearing gryphons attacking a bull, human attendant to the rear; each supplied with a museum-quality impression. 25.5 grams total, 23.6-34 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

Matched pair of bovine-head mounts, each formed as a pair of D-shaped wings and a tail with low-relief feather detailing and holes to accept rivets; central head and neck of a bull with prominent horns, bands of curly hair to the plate and throat, large scaphoid eyes, incised contour detailing to muzzle, socket to reverse. 790 grams total, 8-13 cm wide



From the warehouse of Lane Hope Ltd, London, UK, 1980s (company dissolved December 1991). Private collection, UK; anonymous sale, Gorny & Mosch, Munich, Auction 206, 20 June 2012, no.85. European private collection, acquired at Gorny & Mosch, 2012. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate, no.6210.AM. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Gorny & Mosch catalogue pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12696-234610.

The fittings would have formed a part of four to the rim of a large bronze cauldron. Urartu was centred in eastern Anatolia, around Lake Van; the capital, Tushpa, was located on the eastern shore of the lake, situated on a high and elongated rock outcrop. Most sites boasted a well-built temple situated at the highest point, as well as a number of large storage rooms containing rows of large vessels for storing oil and grains, and massive, well-built fortification walls.