Fragmentary Sumerian Jar with Decoration

Modelled in the round figure of a standing deity with textural detailing to the hair, naïve facial features with exaggerated eyes to accept inserts (absent) and slit mouth, gripping hands held out at the chest and one pierced to accept an attribute, knee-length garment, collar or necklace below the throat; mounted on a custom-made stand. 15.55 kg total, 47.5 cm high including stand



Ex Hans G. collection, Belgium, 1967-1983. Belgian art market, 1983. Private German collection of Mrs H., 1985-1993. with Pierre Bergé & Associés, Paris, 26 November 2013, no.198 (€40,000-45,000). Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Pierre Bergé & Associés printed catalogue pages (double page spread). Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00119290. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12468-230327. 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.

Similar free-standing statues have been found in the royal cemetery in Aswan (probably Khazinet ed-Darb in the Wādī Markha), and at Hayd ibn Aqil (Timna), in Yemen. They are mainly statuettes from the Yemeni kingdoms of Awsan and Qataban, which developed in the Beihan Valley. They represent rulers or important dignitaries of both reigns. The statue is remarkable for the detailed treatment of the facial features, hair and dress: the woman is portrayed wearing a long plain dress, similar to the modern futah of Yemenite people. The eyes were originally inlaid with shell set with polished obsidian pupils, giving a life-like effect to the static statuettes.

Pillow-shaped tablet with cuneiform text identified as 'irbu-income of dates from five people, with additional accounting on reverse, dating to year twenty of an unnamed king'; in glass-topped wooden display box. 24.9 grams, 45 mm (68 grams total, 66 x 50 mm including box)



Acquired in a Dorset/Somerset saleroom in the late 1950s. From the private collection of Colonel E.J. Martin (1911-1981) Indian Army and Artillery Regiment; collected since before 1954, and still with its original box with old information label. Identified by Colonel Martin's friend, the 'Keeper of Antiquities' at the British Museum. 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.

A large flat-section figure with curled arms, spread legs, lobed head; mounted on a custom-made stand. 3.24 kg total, 36.3 cm wide



Private English collection, 1950s, and kept in England. Ex Atigh Gallery, pre-1986. with Aaron Gallery, acquired from the above. Accompanied by a copy of the 1986 invoice from Atigh Gallery. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12492-230324. 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.

A cluster of copper artefacts dating to 1500-1000 B.C. was found in the Indo-Gangetic plains (region of Uttar Pradesh), including a number of anthropomorphic figures with downwards curving arms, dome-shaped heads, and spread legs. They were cast in moulds and then hammered with often discernible chisel marks. They can be divided in several distinct categories based on their characteristics, and it has been suggested that these idols functioned as protective guardian spirits.