Graeco-Persian Bronze Vessel

With carinated hoop, heater-shaped plaques to the shoulders, hexagonal bezel with pellet to each angle and reserved calligraphic legend. 9.03 grams, 23.84 mm overall, 19.40 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)



From a central European collection. Mr S.A., acquired in 1992. Thence by descent, family collection, since the late 1990s. 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.

With standing figure, sphinx and horned animal, restrung pair of red stone beads, old handwritten label '1629'; accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder Seal of Hematite, 19 x 7.5 mm. On the right stands a human figure in a hat with broad brim and wearing a robe to the feet. In one hand he holds an elaborate mace, no doubt the symbol of a deity. On the left is a reared up sphynx with raised wings and resting its front paws on the head of a recumbent horned animal. between the tops of the horns is a star. Two other filling motifs are: a dot and something like the horned animal's head with a long line rising above it. The design is put between upper and lower rules. This is a Mitanni 'elaborate style' seal, c. 1500-1200 B.C. It is in fine condition and is an interesting specimen of its type.'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 4.6 grams, 19 mm



UK private collection, acquired 1980-1983. Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert in 1992. 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.

Openwork stamp with loop handle; accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stamp Seal of Bronze 36x33x13 mm. This is flat, compartmented and open-work, with a handle of inverted V-shape on the back. The design is a linear pattern: to each end is a horizontal straight line, the two being joined by pairs of diagonal lines from them crossing in the middle and creating a row of one rhomb and two triangles in the middle. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is a nice example of its kind and in very good condition.' 10 grams, 36 mm



From the collection of the late Mr S, 1970-1990s. Accompanied by an original typed and signed scholarly note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993. 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.