Ghaznavid Bronze Zoomorphic Ring with Annular Design

Biconical in profile with rounded ends, drilled for suspension. 16.2 grams, 31 mm



Ex Gilles Grimm collection, Paris, France. Acquired circa 2005-2010. Property of a French collector.

Haematite with a robed figure with beard and cap facing a robed female(?) with hands raised, rosette between their faces and rings below; a tall winged figure grasping an ibex by the rear legs and a small human by one arm, above an advancing lion; a facing hero grasping the forelegs of a griffin with a kneeling figure between and winged solar disc above, chipped. 14.1 grams, 26 mm



From the Rihani family collection, formed 1970-1980s. From a collection acquired from various auction houses in the UK. From the estate of Mr R.W., a private Wiltshire, UK, collector; thence by descent.

Terracotta pillow-shaped tablet with grid to each broad face, each cell with an impressed image and a corresponding number of impressions from the tip of a rod, a list for the distribution of animals to the contrary reading: Obverse: Column 1 1. 4(N14) 2(N01) , SZE~a MUSZ3~a units of barley 2. , SI4~f |3(N57).EN2| Column 2 1.a. 2(N14) , SZE~a EN~a PAP~a PAP@t units of barley 1.b. 3(N19) , 2. 3(N19) , MUSZ3~a 3. 1(N19) , LA2 TE SZE~a 4.a. 2(N14) , SZE~a EN~a KISAL~b1 PA~a units of barley 4.b. 5(N04) , 5. , |NUN~a+NAM2| Column 3 1. 2(N14) , SZE~a EN~a PAP~a PAP@t units of barley 2. 2(N19) 3(N04) , MUSZ3~a 3. 1(N19) 4(N04) , EN~a KISAL~b1 PA~a (name?) 4. 3(N14) 4(N01) , SZE~a IDIGNA EN~a KISAL~b1 PA~a units of barley 5. , ZATU659 Reverse: Column 1 1. 5(N14) 2(N01) , MUSZ3~a |3(N57).EN2| 2.a1. 1(N45) 2(N14) 3(N01) , SZE~a |NUN~a+NAM2| units of barley … 2.a2. 1(N45) 1(N14) , SZE~a ZATU659 units of barley … 2.b1. 5(N14) , SZE~a units of barley 2.b2. 7(N19) 3(N04) (total units) 2.b3. 3(N14) , SZE~a “ 2.b4. 8(N19) “ Column 2 1. 1(N45) 4(N14) , (sub?- total units of barley) … 2. 1(N46) 4(N19) 5(N04) , Column 3 1. 2(N45) 2(N19) 6(N14) 5(N04) , SZE~a 1(N57) SI4~f |SIxKU~b1| SZEG9 E~a (grand total units of barley) … 140 grams, 93 mm



From specialised collection of cuneiform texts, formed in the 1950s-1990s. The property of a London gentleman and housed in London, thence by descent to family members. Examined by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert FBA (1926-2011), historian, archaeologist, and specialist in Assyriology and Near Eastern archaeology, in the late 1980s and 1990s. The collection is exceptional for the variety of types, including some very rare and well preserved examples. Accompanied by a copy of a handwritten and signed scholarly note for five tablets written by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12119-216212.